Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Knoxville, TN (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

St. Louis is 11% cheaper than Knoxville.

$978/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↑ 14%
$55,279/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 8%
$185,100 ↓ 14%
Home Value
$214,000 ↑ 16%
$1,013/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↑ 6%
293,109
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $138/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,656/year.

Median household income is $4,285/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Knoxville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Knoxville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $138/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Knoxville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $4,285/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Tennessee?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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