Kent vs St. Louis

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $49,270 in St. Louis.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $114,167 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $175,000. The $420,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $461/month in St. Louis. St. Louis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $380 in St. Louis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 95 in St. Louis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $50,869 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 123 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases