Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Naperville, IL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Naperville

Illinois
147

St. Louis is 55% cheaper than Naperville.

$978/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$1,852/mo ↑ 89%
$55,279/yr ↓ 63%
Median Income
$150,937/yr ↑ 173%
$185,100 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$509,900 ↑ 175%
$1,013/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$2,161/mo ↑ 113%
293,109
Population
149,424

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Naperville, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 147 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $874/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $10,488/year.

Median household income is $95,658/year higher in Naperville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $509,900 in Naperville.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Naperville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Naperville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 147 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Naperville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Naperville it's $1,852/month — a difference of $874/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Naperville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $150,937 in Naperville. Median household income is $95,658/year higher in Naperville.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Naperville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Naperville has a cost index of 147 with rent of $1,852/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Naperville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Naperville

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