Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Jersey City, NJ (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Jersey City

New Jersey
148

St. Louis is 82% cheaper than Jersey City.

$978/mo ↓ 49%
Median Rent
$1,902/mo ↑ 94%
$55,279/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$94,813/yr ↑ 72%
$185,100 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$534,500 ↑ 189%
$1,013/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,006/mo ↑ 98%
293,109
Population
289,691

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
10.75%
4.225%
Sales Tax
6.625%
0.93%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Jersey City, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 148 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $924/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $11,088/year.

Median household income is $39,534/year higher in Jersey City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $534,500 in Jersey City.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Jersey City — common questions

Is St. Louis or Jersey City 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 Jersey City?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Jersey City it's $1,902/month — a difference of $924/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Jersey City?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $94,813 in Jersey City. Median household income is $39,534/year higher in Jersey City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New Jersey?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Jersey City?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Jersey City has a cost index of 148 with rent of $1,902/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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