St. Louis vs Little Rock

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Missouri salaries · Arkansas salaries

Living in St. Louis vs Little Rock

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Louis has a housing index of 72 while Little Rock sits at 62 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Louis costs $175,000 compared to $170,000 in Little Rock, a difference of $5,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in St. Louis versus $950 in Little Rock.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: St. Louis scores 97 while Little Rock scores 94.

Healthcare costs in St. Louis (95) are higher than Little Rock (90).

Median household income in St. Louis is $45,782 compared to $47,638 in Little Rock. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Little Rock.

Relocating: St. Louis vs Little Rock

If you are considering a move between St. Louis (index: 90) and Little Rock (index: 84), the 7% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Little Rock is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in St. Louis can afford $1,068/month, while the median household in Little Rock can afford $1,112/month. With median homes at $175,000 in St. Louis versus $170,000 in Little Rock, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in St. Louis and $950/month in Little Rock, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Little Rock where costs are 16% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: St. Louis (90) vs Little Rock (84)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Louis at 90 is 10% below the US average, while Little Rock at 84 is 16% below average. Both cities are relatively affordable compared to the national average.

The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.

For renters: With median rents of $1,000/month in St. Louis and $950/month in Little Rock, the annual rent difference is approximately $600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $3,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $5,000 difference in median home prices between St. Louis and Little Rock translates to roughly $300 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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