Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Gilbert, AZ (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Gilbert

Arizona
148

St. Louis is 55% cheaper than Gilbert.

$978/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,028/mo ↑ 107%
$55,279/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$121,351/yr ↑ 120%
$185,100 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$518,600 ↑ 180%
$1,013/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,908/mo ↑ 88%
293,109
Population
271,118

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
2.5%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Gilbert, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 148 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,050/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $12,600/year.

Median household income is $66,072/year higher in Gilbert. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $518,600 in Gilbert.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Gilbert slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Gilbert — common questions

Is St. Louis or Gilbert cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 148 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Gilbert?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Gilbert it's $2,028/month — a difference of $1,050/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Gilbert?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $121,351 in Gilbert. Median household income is $66,072/year higher in Gilbert.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Arizona?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Gilbert?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Gilbert has a cost index of 148 with rent of $2,028/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Gilbert details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Gilbert

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 Gilbert vs. Chula Vista Gilbert vs. North Las Vegas Gilbert vs. Madison Gilbert vs. Reno Gilbert vs. Buffalo Gilbert vs. Toledo