Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Meridian, ID (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

St. Louis is 50% cheaper than Meridian.

$978/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 75%
$55,279/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 79%
$185,100 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 162%
$1,013/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 59%
293,109
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.8%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $736/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $8,832/year.

Median household income is $43,407/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Meridian — common questions

Is St. Louis or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Meridian?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $736/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Meridian?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $43,407/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Idaho?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Meridian

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 Meridian vs. Palm Bay Meridian vs. Vallejo Meridian vs. Allentown Meridian vs. Round Rock Meridian vs. Thousand Oaks Meridian vs. Concord