City Comparison

Nampa vs St. Louis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

St. Louis

Missouri
90
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$45,782
Median Income

The Verdict

16.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.7%, with St. Louis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to $64,286 in St. Louis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
72
St. Louis
Groceries
105
Nampa
97
St. Louis
Utilities
83
Nampa
95
St. Louis
Transportation
113
Nampa
103
St. Louis
Healthcare
102
Nampa
95
St. Louis

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $64,286 in St. Louis.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $87,500 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $175,000. The $196,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,744 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $461/month in St. Louis. St. Louis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $380 in St. Louis. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Nampa and 95 in St. Louis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $74,300 in Nampa and $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $50,869 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/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 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis is 16.7% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,286 in St. Louis, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while St. Louis's is 72 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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