Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Worcester, MA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Worcester

Massachusetts
104

St. Louis is 37% cheaper than Worcester.

$978/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,415/mo ↑ 45%
$55,279/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$67,544/yr ↑ 22%
$185,100 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$339,500 ↑ 83%
$1,013/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,521/mo ↑ 50%
293,109
Population
205,501

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
9.0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Worcester, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $437/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,244/year.

Median household income is $12,265/year higher in Worcester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $339,500 in Worcester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Worcester — common questions

Is St. Louis or Worcester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Worcester?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Worcester it's $1,415/month — a difference of $437/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Worcester?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $67,544 in Worcester. Median household income is $12,265/year higher in Worcester.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Massachusetts?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Worcester?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Worcester has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,415/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Worcester details →

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