Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Mobile, AL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Mobile

Alabama
66

St. Louis and Mobile have a similar cost of living.

$978/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,029/mo ↑ 5%
$55,279/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$51,090/yr ↓ 8%
$185,100 ↑ 9%
Home Value
$170,300 ↓ 8%
$1,013/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,016/mo ≈ Same
293,109
Population
185,097

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Mobile, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $51/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $612/year.

Median household income is $4,189/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $170,300 in Mobile.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Mobile — common questions

Is St. Louis or Mobile cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mobile is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Mobile?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Mobile it's $1,029/month — a difference of $51/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Mobile?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $51,090 in Mobile. Median household income is $4,189/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Alabama?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Mobile?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Mobile has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,029/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Mobile details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Mobile

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 Mobile vs. Paradise Mobile vs. Newport News Mobile vs. Tempe Mobile vs. Shreveport Mobile vs. Brownsville Mobile vs. Fort Lauderdale