Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Lowell, MA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

St. Louis is 45% cheaper than Lowell.

$978/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↑ 64%
$55,279/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↑ 38%
$185,100 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$395,100 ↑ 113%
$1,013/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↑ 65%
293,109
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
9.0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $625/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $7,500/year.

Median household income is $20,926/year higher in Lowell. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Lowell — common questions

Is St. Louis or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Lowell?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $625/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Lowell?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $20,926/year higher in Lowell.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Massachusetts?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Lowell details →

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