Cost of Living: Washington, DC vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

Washington

District of Columbia
171
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Washington is 159% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,900/mo ↑ 94%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 49%
$106,287/yr ↑ 92%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 48%
$724,600 ↑ 291%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 74%
$2,103/mo ↑ 108%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 52%
672,079
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

10.75%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
0.56%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Washington, DC and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 171 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $922/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $11,064/year.

Median household income is $51,008/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Washington is $724,600 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Washington or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Washington and St. Louis?
Median rent in Washington is $1,900/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $922/month.
Which city has higher income, Washington or St. Louis?
Median household income is $106,287 in Washington and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $51,008/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between District of Columbia and Missouri?
District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Washington or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Washington has a cost index of 171 with median rent of $1,900/mo, while St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with rent of $978/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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