Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Olathe, KS (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Olathe

Kansas
104

St. Louis is 37% cheaper than Olathe.

$978/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↑ 34%
$55,279/yr ↓ 51%
Median Income
$112,232/yr ↑ 103%
$185,100 ↓ 46%
Home Value
$340,600 ↑ 84%
$1,013/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,662/mo ↑ 64%
293,109
Population
143,720

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.7%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Olathe, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $336/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,032/year.

Median household income is $56,953/year higher in Olathe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $340,600 in Olathe.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Olathe — common questions

Is St. Louis or Olathe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Olathe?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Olathe it's $1,314/month — a difference of $336/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Olathe?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $112,232 in Olathe. Median household income is $56,953/year higher in Olathe.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Kansas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Olathe?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Olathe has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Olathe details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Olathe

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