Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Rochester, NY (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Rochester

New York
61

St. Louis is 8% more expensive than Rochester.

$978/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↑ 6%
$55,279/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 16%
$185,100 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 35%
$1,013/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ≈ Same
293,109
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
10.9%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $61/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $732/year.

Median household income is $8,651/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Rochester — common questions

Is St. Louis or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester 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 Rochester?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $61/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Rochester?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $8,651/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New York?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Rochester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Rochester

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 Rochester vs. Frisco Rochester vs. Fayetteville Rochester vs. Moreno Valley Rochester vs. Yonkers Rochester vs. Fontana Rochester vs. Cape Coral