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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

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

$978/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↑ 8%
$55,279/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$55,687/yr ≈ Same
$185,100 ↑ 25%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 20%
$1,013/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ≈ Same
293,109
Population
198,440

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $81/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $972/year.

Median household income is $408/year higher in Montgomery. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Montgomery — common questions

Is St. Louis or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Montgomery?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $81/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Montgomery?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $408/year higher in Montgomery.
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 Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Montgomery details →

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