Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Lakeland, FL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

St. Louis is 20% cheaper than Lakeland.

$978/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↑ 33%
$55,279/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↑ 10%
$185,100 ↓ 19%
Home Value
$229,100 ↑ 24%
$1,013/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↑ 13%
293,109
Population
117,030

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $321/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $3,852/year.

Median household income is $5,668/year higher in Lakeland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Lakeland — common questions

Is St. Louis or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Lakeland?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $321/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Lakeland?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $5,668/year higher in Lakeland.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Florida?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Lakeland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Lakeland

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