Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Columbus, GA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

St. Louis is 4% cheaper than Columbus.

$978/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↑ 10%
$55,279/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$56,622/yr ↑ 2%
$185,100 ↑ 2%
Home Value
$182,300 ↓ 2%
$1,013/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↑ 5%
293,109
Population
204,383

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.49%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $94/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,128/year.

Median household income is $1,343/year higher in Columbus. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Columbus — common questions

Is St. Louis or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 69 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Columbus?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $94/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Columbus?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $1,343/year higher in Columbus.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Georgia?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Columbus details →

More Comparisons

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