Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

St. Louis is 37% cheaper than Clearwater.

$978/mo ↓ 36%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 57%
$55,279/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↑ 17%
$185,100 ↓ 43%
Home Value
$326,100 ↑ 76%
$1,013/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↑ 39%
293,109
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $561/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $6,732/year.

Median household income is $9,161/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Clearwater — common questions

Is St. Louis or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Clearwater?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $561/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Clearwater?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $9,161/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Florida?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Clearwater

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