Salt Lake City vs St. Louis: cost of living compared
St. Louis is 19% cheaper than Salt Lake City overall. State income tax tops out around 4.65% in UT vs 4.95% in MO.
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 Salt Lake City and St. Louis reveals a substantial difference in overall cost of living. Salt Lake City is notably more expensive than the national average, while St. Louis offers a significantly lower cost of living. This disparity is largely driven by housing expenses, which are dramatically higher in Salt Lake City, creating a much bigger gap in affordability between the two metros than for other categories of spending.
Housing
Housing costs present the most significant contrast. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are considerably more expensive in Salt Lake City. St. Louis offers much more affordable options for both median home prices and typical one-bedroom rents. This difference means a household's largest expense will be substantially lower in St. Louis, allowing for greater financial flexibility or more spacious accommodations.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses also vary. While state income tax rates are roughly similar, Salt Lake City generally has slightly lower costs for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities. However, these savings are modest and do not offset the much higher housing costs. Overall, routine spending on goods and services will feel somewhat more affordable in St. Louis, contributing to its lower overall cost of living.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Movers will notice distinct lifestyle differences. Salt Lake City, nestled in a mountain valley, offers a drier climate with four distinct seasons and easy access to outdoor recreation. St. Louis, located in the Midwest, experiences a more humid climate with hot summers and cold winters, and is known for its historic architecture and riverfront character. Commute times are relatively similar, though St. Louis's layout might feel a bit more spread out.
Bottom line
For a household budget, moving from Salt Lake City to St. Louis would likely result in substantial savings, primarily due to the much lower housing costs. While some everyday expenses are slightly higher in St. Louis, these are easily outweighed by the dramatic difference in home prices and rents. Conversely, a move to Salt Lake City would entail a significant increase in overall expenditures, especially for shelter, despite some modest savings in other areas.
| Measure | Salt Lake City, UT | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 108 | 88 |
| Housing index | 127 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 89 | 95 |
| Food index | 98 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 98 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 95 | 95 |
| Misc index | 95 | 88 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,550/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 24 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.