St. Louis wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Columbia vs St. Louis (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Columbia buys roughly what $59,318 does in St. Louis (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$569/yr
Favoring Columbia for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $47/mo in Columbia, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Columbia Missouri | St. Louis Missouri | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000Better | $1,050 | Columbia wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Columbia |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250Better | $1,300 | Columbia wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Columbia |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650Better | $1,700 | Columbia wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Columbia |
| Median home price | $255K | $230KBetter | St. Louis wins −$25K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 97 | Columbia wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $13 | Columbia wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $52 | Columbia wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $75 | Columbia wins +$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Columbia |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.00 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $160 | Columbia wins +$12/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158Better | $162 | Columbia wins +$4/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $52K | $54KBetter | St. Louis wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.7% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0%Better | 8.6% | Columbia wins +0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Better | $5.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 88 | 87Better | St. Louis wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38 | 61Wins | St. Louis wins +23 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
St. Louis fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in St. Louis.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia cheaper than St. Louis?
No. St. Louis is 1% cheaper than Columbia based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 88, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Columbia vs St. Louis?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Columbia is $1,250/month and in St. Louis is $1,300/month. Columbia is cheaper by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in St. Louis to match a $75,000 salary in Columbia?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,148/year in St. Louis to match a $75,000 salary in Columbia. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Columbia or St. Louis?
St. Louis has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 4.7%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Columbia to St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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