Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Chesapeake, VA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Chesapeake

Virginia
112

St. Louis is 41% cheaper than Chesapeake.

$978/mo ↓ 36%
Median Rent
$1,523/mo ↑ 56%
$55,279/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$94,189/yr ↑ 70%
$185,100 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$359,100 ↑ 94%
$1,013/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,680/mo ↑ 66%
293,109
Population
251,153

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.75%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Chesapeake, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $545/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $6,540/year.

Median household income is $38,910/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $359,100 in Chesapeake.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Chesapeake — common questions

Is St. Louis or Chesapeake cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Chesapeake?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Chesapeake it's $1,523/month — a difference of $545/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Chesapeake?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $94,189 in Chesapeake. Median household income is $38,910/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Virginia?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Chesapeake?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,523/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Chesapeake details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Chesapeake

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Chesapeake vs. Irving Chesapeake vs. Winston-Salem Chesapeake vs. Laredo Chesapeake vs. Glendale Chesapeake vs. St. Petersburg Chesapeake vs. Garland