Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Manchester, NH (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

St. Louis is 38% cheaper than Manchester.

$978/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 50%
$55,279/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↑ 40%
$185,100 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$336,300 ↑ 82%
$1,013/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 53%
293,109
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $487/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,844/year.

Median household income is $22,136/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Manchester — common questions

Is St. Louis or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Manchester?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $487/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Manchester?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $22,136/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New Hampshire?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Manchester

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Manchester vs. Westminster Manchester vs. Richmond Manchester vs. Antioch Manchester vs. High Point Manchester vs. Broken Arrow Manchester vs. League City