Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

St. Louis is 15% cheaper than Huntsville.

$978/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↑ 10%
$55,279/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↑ 28%
$185,100 ↓ 30%
Home Value
$263,100 ↑ 42%
$1,013/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↑ 3%
293,109
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $100/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,200/year.

Median household income is $15,499/year higher in Huntsville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Huntsville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 78 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Huntsville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $100/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Huntsville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $15,499/year higher in Huntsville.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Alabama?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Huntsville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Huntsville

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 Huntsville vs. Spring Valley Huntsville vs. Modesto Huntsville vs. Port St. Lucie Huntsville vs. Des Moines Huntsville vs. Tacoma Huntsville vs. Fontana