Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

St. Louis is 7% cheaper than Winston-Salem.

$978/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↑ 6%
$55,279/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↑ 4%
$185,100 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$208,200 ↑ 12%
$1,013/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↑ 3%
293,109
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $55/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $660/year.

Median household income is $2,394/year higher in Winston-Salem. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Winston-Salem slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is St. Louis or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $55/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $2,394/year higher in Winston-Salem.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and North Carolina?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Winston-Salem has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,033/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Winston-Salem details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Winston-Salem

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 Winston-Salem vs. Chesapeake Winston-Salem vs. Glendale Winston-Salem vs. Irving Winston-Salem vs. Garland Winston-Salem vs. Laredo Winston-Salem vs. Scottsdale