Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Kent, WA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Kent

Washington
145

St. Louis is 54% cheaper than Kent.

$978/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$1,833/mo ↑ 87%
$55,279/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$90,416/yr ↑ 64%
$185,100 ↓ 66%
Home Value
$537,500 ↑ 190%
$1,013/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,915/mo ↑ 89%
293,109
Population
135,015

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Kent, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 145 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $855/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $10,260/year.

Median household income is $35,137/year higher in Kent. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $537,500 in Kent.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Kent — common questions

Is St. Louis or Kent cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 145 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Kent?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Kent it's $1,833/month — a difference of $855/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Kent?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $90,416 in Kent. Median household income is $35,137/year higher in Kent.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Washington?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Kent?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Kent has a cost index of 145 with rent of $1,833/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Kent details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Kent

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