Boise vs St. Louis: cost of living compared
St. Louis is 14% cheaper than Boise overall.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Comparing Boise and St. Louis reveals a substantial difference in overall cost of living. St. Louis is noticeably more affordable across the board, with its index well below the national average, while Boise is somewhat above it. This significant gap is primarily driven by housing costs, which are considerably higher in Boise for both buying and renting. Other categories like food and utilities also contribute to St. Louis's greater affordability, though to a lesser extent.
Housing
Housing presents the biggest cost disparity between these two metros. Median home prices in Boise are dramatically higher than in St. Louis, and a similar pattern holds for median one-bedroom rents. St. Louis offers a much more accessible housing market, with a greater prevalence of older, established housing stock. While property taxes and insurance vary, the initial outlay for homeownership or the monthly rent payment will be considerably less in St. Louis.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses also differ. St. Louis has a state income tax, which is an important consideration, whereas Boise's state income tax situation is not specified in the provided data. Transportation costs are lower in Boise, suggesting a more car-dependent but perhaps more efficient system. Food, healthcare, and utilities are all somewhat more affordable in St. Louis, contributing to a generally lower cost for routine household spending compared to Boise.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, movers will notice lifestyle differences. Boise, nestled in a high desert climate, offers a drier environment with distinct seasons and proximity to mountains. St. Louis, situated in the Midwest, experiences a more humid, four-season climate with hot summers and cold winters, and is known for its historic architecture and riverfront. Commute times are generally shorter in Boise, indicating potentially less traffic or a more compact urban layout.
Bottom line
For those considering a move between Boise and St. Louis, the financial implications are clear. St. Louis offers a significantly lower cost of living, predominantly due to much more affordable housing, both for purchase and rent. While Boise might offer slightly cheaper transportation and utilities, the overall budget impact of housing and the presence of state income tax in St. Louis mean that a household's purchasing power will stretch considerably further in the Missouri metro.
| Measure | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 102 | 88 |
| Housing index | 110 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 82 | 95 |
| Food index | 95 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 95 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 88 | 95 |
| Misc index | 90 | 88 |
| Median home price | $418,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,450/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 22 min | 27 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific St. Louis home with the True Cost Calculator.