Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Little Rock, AR (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Little Rock

Arkansas
74

St. Louis is 11% cheaper than Little Rock.

$978/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,067/mo ↑ 9%
$55,279/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$60,583/yr ↑ 10%
$185,100 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$221,200 ↑ 20%
$1,013/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,099/mo ↑ 8%
293,109
Population
202,739

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.4%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Little Rock, AR, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $89/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,068/year.

Median household income is $5,304/year higher in Little Rock. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $221,200 in Little Rock.

Arkansas has a lower income tax rate, making Little Rock slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Little Rock — common questions

Is St. Louis or Little Rock 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 Little Rock?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Little Rock it's $1,067/month — a difference of $89/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Little Rock?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $60,583 in Little Rock. Median household income is $5,304/year higher in Little Rock.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Arkansas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Arkansas has 4.4% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Little Rock has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,067/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Little Rock details →

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