St. Louis vs Seattle
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
St. Louis
Seattle
💡 The Verdict
41% cheaper
St. Louis is 41% more affordable than Seattle. A $75,000 salary in Seattle is equivalent to $44,408 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 · Washington salaries
Living in St. Louis vs Seattle
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Louis has a housing index of 72 while Seattle sits at 224 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Louis costs $175,000 compared to $750,000 in Seattle, a difference of $575,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in St. Louis versus $2,300 in Seattle.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: St. Louis scores 97 while Seattle scores 109.
Healthcare costs in St. Louis (95) are lower than Seattle (109).
Median household income in St. Louis is $45,782 compared to $97,185 in Seattle. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Louis.
Relocating: St. Louis vs Seattle
If you are considering a move between St. Louis (index: 90) and Seattle (index: 152), the 41% 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 Seattle can afford $2,268/month. With median homes at $175,000 in St. Louis versus $750,000 in Seattle, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in St. Louis and $2,300/month in Seattle, 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 Seattle (152)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Louis at 90 is 10% below the US average, while Seattle at 152 is 52% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The 62-point spread between Seattle (152) and St. Louis (90) is large enough to reshape a household budget entirely, especially for single-income families. The biggest category divergence is housing, where St. Louis scores 72 and Seattle scores 224. That 152-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors St. Louis with indices of 72 versus 224. Median home prices of $175,000 in St. Louis and $750,000 in Seattle underscore this gap.
For renters: With median rents of $1,000/month in St. Louis and $2,300/month in Seattle, the annual rent difference is approximately $15,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $78,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $575,000 difference in median home prices between St. Louis and Seattle translates to roughly $34,500 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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