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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

St. Louis is 50% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$978/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 82%
$55,279/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 45%
$185,100 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 146%
$1,013/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 76%
293,109
Population
183,032

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $798/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,576/year.

Median household income is $24,656/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is St. Louis or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $798/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $24,656/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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