Moving from Wilmington to St. Louis (2026)

St. Louis has a COL index of 87 vs 93 for Wilmington (100 = US average). You'd pay about 6% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$221/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline

Key differences

COL index
9387
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,550$1,300
per month
State tax
4.5%4.7%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,447
per month

Salary needed in St. Louis to match your Wilmington lifestyle

Based on the 6% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in WilmingtonEquivalent in St. Louis
$40K$37,419
$50K$46,774
$60K$56,129
$75K$70,161
$80K$74,839
$100K$93,548
$120K$112,258
$150K$140,323

Monthly budget at $75K — Wilmington vs St. Louis

ExpenseWilmingtonSt. Louis
Monthly take-home$4,459$4,447
1BR rent$1,550$1,300
Groceries$372$369
Transport$45$75
Utilities$158$162
Internet$62$60
Left after essentials$2,272$2,481

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Louis cheaper than Wilmington?

Yes. St. Louis has a cost of living index of 87 vs 93 for Wilmington (100 = US average). That's about 6% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Wilmington to St. Louis?

On a $75K salary, moving from Wilmington to St. Louis could save roughly $221/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,652/year.

What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Wilmington lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Wilmington, you'd need roughly $70,161/year in St. Louis. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.

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