Moving from Dallas to St. Louis (2026)
St. Louis has a COL index of 87 vs 99 for Dallas (100 = US average). You'd pay about 12% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$226/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
9987
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,500$1,300
per month
State tax
None4.7%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,741$4,447
per month
Salary needed in St. Louis to match your Dallas lifestyle
Based on the 12% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Dallas | Equivalent in St. Louis |
|---|---|
| $40K | $35,152 |
| $50K | $43,939 |
| $60K | $52,727 |
| $75K | $65,909 |
| $80K | $70,303 |
| $100K | $87,879 |
| $120K | $105,455 |
| $150K | $131,818 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Dallas vs St. Louis
| Expense | Dallas | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,741 | $4,447 |
| 1BR rent | $1,500 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $361 | $369 |
| Transport | $96 | $75 |
| Utilities | $175 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,549 | $2,481 |
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Louis cheaper than Dallas?
Yes. St. Louis has a cost of living index of 87 vs 99 for Dallas (100 = US average). That's about 12% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Dallas to St. Louis?
On a $75K salary, moving from Dallas to St. Louis could save roughly $226/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,712/year.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Dallas lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Dallas, you'd need roughly $65,909/year in St. Louis. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from St. Louis to DallasDallas vs St. Louis — full comparisonDallas cost of livingSt. Louis cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only