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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

St. Louis is 19% cheaper than Gainesville.

$978/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↑ 24%
$55,279/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 17%
$185,100 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$235,000 ↑ 27%
$1,013/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↑ 15%
293,109
Population
143,611

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
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $236/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $2,832/year.

Median household income is $9,668/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Gainesville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Gainesville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $236/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Gainesville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $9,668/year higher in St. Louis.
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 Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Gainesville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Gainesville

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 Gainesville vs. Olathe Gainesville vs. Torrance Gainesville vs. McAllen Gainesville vs. Thornton Gainesville vs. Syracuse Gainesville vs. Visalia