Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

St. Louis is 27% cheaper than Palm Bay.

$978/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 52%
$55,279/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↑ 22%
$185,100 ↓ 25%
Home Value
$248,000 ↑ 34%
$1,013/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↑ 19%
293,109
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $509/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $6,108/year.

Median household income is $12,242/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is St. Louis or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Palm Bay?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $509/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $12,242/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Florida?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Palm Bay details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Palm Bay

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 Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock