Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

St. Louis is 44% cheaper than Salt Lake City.

$978/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↑ 37%
$55,279/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↑ 36%
$185,100 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$495,700 ↑ 168%
$1,013/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↑ 38%
293,109
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.65%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $365/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,380/year.

Median household income is $19,646/year higher in Salt Lake City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Salt Lake City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is St. Louis or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 117 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $365/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $19,646/year higher in Salt Lake City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Utah?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

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