Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

St. Louis is 48% cheaper than Surprise.

$978/mo ↓ 49%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 96%
$55,279/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 69%
$185,100 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$396,000 ↑ 114%
$1,013/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↑ 57%
293,109
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
2.5%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $939/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $11,268/year.

Median household income is $38,092/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Surprise slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Surprise — common questions

Is St. Louis or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Surprise?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $939/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Surprise?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $38,092/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Arizona?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Surprise

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 Surprise vs. Joliet Surprise vs. Naperville Surprise vs. Jackson Surprise vs. Pasadena Surprise vs. Escondido Surprise vs. Mesquite