Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Dearborn, MI (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Dearborn

Michigan
79

St. Louis is 16% cheaper than Dearborn.

$978/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,264/mo ↑ 29%
$55,279/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$65,192/yr ↑ 18%
$185,100 ↓ 10%
Home Value
$205,900 ↑ 11%
$1,013/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,174/mo ↑ 16%
293,109
Population
107,846

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Dearborn, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $286/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $3,432/year.

Median household income is $9,913/year higher in Dearborn. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $205,900 in Dearborn.

Michigan has a lower income tax rate, making Dearborn slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Dearborn — common questions

Is St. Louis or Dearborn cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Dearborn?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Dearborn it's $1,264/month — a difference of $286/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Dearborn?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $65,192 in Dearborn. Median household income is $9,913/year higher in Dearborn.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Michigan?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Dearborn?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Dearborn has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,264/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Dearborn details →

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