Washington vs 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: District of Columbia salaries · Missouri salaries

Living in Washington vs St. Louis

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Washington has a housing index of 226 while St. Louis sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Washington costs $580,000 compared to $175,000 in St. Louis, a difference of $405,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Washington versus $1,000 in St. Louis.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Washington scores 108 while St. Louis scores 97.

Healthcare costs in Washington (105) are higher than St. Louis (95). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Washington is $90,842 compared to $45,782 in St. Louis. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Louis.

Relocating: Washington vs St. Louis

If you are considering a move between Washington (index: 152) and St. Louis (index: 90), 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 Washington can afford $2,120/month, while the median household in St. Louis can afford $1,068/month. With median homes at $580,000 in Washington versus $175,000 in St. Louis, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $2,300/month in Washington and $1,000/month in St. Louis, 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: Washington (152) vs St. Louis (90)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Washington at 152 is 52% above the US average, while St. Louis at 90 is 10% below 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 $2,300/month in Washington and $1,000/month in St. Louis, 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 $405,000 difference in median home prices between Washington and St. Louis translates to roughly $24,300 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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