Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Lansing, MI (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Lansing

Michigan
58

St. Louis is 14% more expensive than Lansing.

$978/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$976/mo ≈ Same
$55,279/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$52,170/yr ↓ 6%
$185,100 ↑ 55%
Home Value
$119,400 ↓ 35%
$1,013/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$978/mo ↓ 3%
293,109
Population
112,546

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Lansing, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $3,109/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $119,400 in Lansing.

Michigan has a lower income tax rate, making Lansing slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Lansing — common questions

Is St. Louis or Lansing cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lansing is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Lansing?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Lansing it's $976/month — a difference of $2/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Lansing?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $52,170 in Lansing. Median household income is $3,109/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Michigan?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Lansing?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Lansing has a cost index of 58 with rent of $976/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Lansing details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Lansing

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