St. Louis vs Portland
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
St. Louis
Portland
💡 The Verdict
31% cheaper
St. Louis is 31% more affordable than Portland. A $75,000 salary in Portland is equivalent to $51,923 in St. Louis.
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 · Oregon salaries
Living in St. Louis vs Portland
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Louis has a housing index of 72 while Portland sits at 168 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Louis costs $175,000 compared to $480,000 in Portland, a difference of $305,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in St. Louis versus $1,800 in Portland.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: St. Louis scores 97 while Portland scores 105. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in St. Louis (95) are lower than Portland (108).
Median household income in St. Louis is $45,782 compared to $71,005 in Portland. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Louis.
Relocating: St. Louis vs Portland
If you are considering a move between St. Louis (index: 90) and Portland (index: 130), the 31% cost difference has real implications for your budget. St. Louis 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 Portland can afford $1,657/month. With median homes at $175,000 in St. Louis versus $480,000 in Portland, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in St. Louis and $1,800/month in Portland, renters save significantly in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis where costs are 10% 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 Portland (130)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Louis at 90 is 10% below the US average, while Portland at 130 is 30% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
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 $1,800/month in Portland, the annual rent difference is approximately $9,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $48,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $305,000 difference in median home prices between St. Louis and Portland translates to roughly $18,300 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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