St. Louis vs Miami: cost of living compared
Miami is 45% more expensive than St. Louis overall. Miami (FL) has no state income tax; MO tops out around 4.95%.
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
St. Louis offers a noticeably lower overall cost of living compared to Miami. This significant difference is largely driven by housing expenses, which are substantially higher in the South Florida metro. While other categories also contribute to Miami's elevated cost, housing stands out as the primary factor making St. Louis a considerably more affordable option for general expenses across the board.
Housing
Both buying and renting are considerably more expensive in Miami than in St. Louis. Median home prices and typical apartment rents show a substantial gap. Beyond the mortgage, Miami homeowners may face higher property taxes, significantly elevated insurance premiums, and potential additional fees like those for homeowners associations or community development districts, which can add to the total cost of ownership.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all higher in Miami. A key difference is Florida's lack of a state income tax, which contrasts with Missouri's income tax. However, this tax saving in Florida is often offset by the higher costs across most other spending categories, making everyday life in Miami generally more expensive.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Moving between these metros means a significant climate shift, from St. Louis's four distinct seasons to Miami's subtropical warmth and humidity, with a notable hurricane season. Getting around in Miami often involves more traffic and longer average commutes compared to St. Louis. Miami generally feels denser and more fast-paced, while St. Louis offers a more relaxed pace and often more open space.
Bottom line
For those considering a move, the financial implications are substantial. St. Louis presents a much more affordable option across nearly all spending categories, particularly housing. While Miami offers a different climate and lifestyle, its higher cost of living, driven by housing and other daily expenses, means a household budget will stretch considerably further in the Midwest than in South Florida.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Miami, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 88 | 128 |
| Housing index | 64 | 158 |
| Transportation index | 95 | 116 |
| Food index | 92 | 108 |
| Healthcare index | 95 | 105 |
| Utilities index | 95 | 112 |
| Misc index | 88 | 108 |
| Median home price | $218,000 | $598,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,050/mo | $2,100/mo |
| Average commute | 27 min | 32 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Miami home with the True Cost Calculator.