Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Chattanooga, TN (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81

St. Louis is 19% cheaper than Chattanooga.

$978/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,155/mo ↑ 18%
$55,279/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$61,028/yr ↑ 10%
$185,100 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$259,200 ↑ 40%
$1,013/mo ↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,112/mo ↑ 10%
293,109
Population
182,832

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Chattanooga, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $177/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $2,124/year.

Median household income is $5,749/year higher in Chattanooga. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $259,200 in Chattanooga.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Chattanooga residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Chattanooga — common questions

Is St. Louis or Chattanooga cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Chattanooga?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Chattanooga it's $1,155/month — a difference of $177/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $61,028 in Chattanooga. Median household income is $5,749/year higher in Chattanooga.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Tennessee?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Chattanooga?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,155/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Chattanooga details →

More Comparisons

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