Chicago 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: Illinois salaries · Missouri salaries

Living in Chicago vs St. Louis

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while St. Louis sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $175,000 in St. Louis, a difference of $135,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,000 in St. Louis.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while St. Louis scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than St. Louis (95). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $45,782 in St. Louis. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Louis.

Relocating: Chicago vs St. Louis

If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and St. Louis (index: 90), the 16% 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 Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in St. Louis can afford $1,068/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $175,000 in St. Louis, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago 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: Chicago (107) vs St. Louis (90)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% 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.

Chicago costs meaningfully more than St. Louis, with a 17-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Chicago scores 112 and St. Louis scores 72. That 40-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 112. Median home prices of $310,000 in Chicago and $175,000 in St. Louis underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,000/month in St. Louis, the annual rent difference is approximately $8,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $42,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $135,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and St. Louis translates to roughly $8,100 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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