Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

St. Louis is 6% cheaper than Des Moines.

$978/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↑ 8%
$55,279/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↑ 16%
$185,100 ≈ Same
Home Value
$183,700 ≈ Same
$1,013/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↑ 12%
293,109
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.7%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $76/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $912/year.

Median household income is $8,687/year higher in Des Moines. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Des Moines — common questions

Is St. Louis or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 70 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Des Moines?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $76/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Des Moines?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $8,687/year higher in Des Moines.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Iowa?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

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