Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Evansville, IN (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Evansville

Indiana
57

St. Louis is 16% more expensive than Evansville.

$978/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$949/mo ↓ 3%
$55,279/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$52,251/yr ↓ 5%
$185,100 ↑ 43%
Home Value
$129,100 ↓ 30%
$1,013/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$919/mo ↓ 9%
293,109
Population
116,441

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
3.05%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Evansville, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 57 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $3,028/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $129,100 in Evansville.

Indiana has a lower income tax rate, making Evansville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Evansville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Evansville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Evansville is cheaper to live in with an index of 57 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Evansville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Evansville it's $949/month — a difference of $29/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Evansville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $52,251 in Evansville. Median household income is $3,028/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Indiana?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Evansville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Evansville has a cost index of 57 with rent of $949/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Evansville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Evansville

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 Evansville vs. The Woodlands Evansville vs. Brandon Evansville vs. Lakeland Evansville vs. West Jordan Evansville vs. Clearwater Evansville vs. Broken Arrow