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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Peoria

Illinois
61

St. Louis is 8% more expensive than Peoria.

$978/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$951/mo ↓ 3%
$55,279/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$58,716/yr ↑ 6%
$185,100 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$149,500 ↓ 19%
$1,013/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,007/mo ≈ Same
293,109
Population
112,126

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
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Peoria, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $3,437/year higher in Peoria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $149,500 in Peoria.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Peoria — common questions

Is St. Louis or Peoria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Peoria is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Peoria?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Peoria it's $951/month — a difference of $27/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Peoria?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $58,716 in Peoria. Median household income is $3,437/year higher in Peoria.
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 Peoria?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Peoria has a cost index of 61 with rent of $951/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Peoria

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 Peoria vs. Pompano Beach Peoria vs. Downey Peoria vs. Lansing Peoria vs. Murrieta Peoria vs. Las Cruces Peoria vs. Pueblo