Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Vancouver, WA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Vancouver

Washington
123

St. Louis is 46% cheaper than Vancouver.

$978/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 67%
$55,279/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$78,156/yr ↑ 41%
$185,100 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$440,300 ↑ 138%
$1,013/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 59%
293,109
Population
192,696

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Vancouver, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 123 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $654/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $7,848/year.

Median household income is $22,877/year higher in Vancouver. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $440,300 in Vancouver.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Vancouver residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Vancouver — common questions

Is St. Louis or Vancouver cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 123 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Vancouver?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Vancouver it's $1,632/month — a difference of $654/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Vancouver?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $78,156 in Vancouver. Median household income is $22,877/year higher in Vancouver.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Washington?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Vancouver?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Vancouver details →

More Comparisons

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