$40K in McAllen = $44,615 in St. Louis
Your $40K salary in McAllen (COL 78) has the same purchasing power as $44,615 in St. Louis (COL 87). St. Louis is more expensive — you'd need 12% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | McAllen $40K | St. Louis $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,728 | $2,572 |
| 1BR rent | $950 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $338 | $369 |
| Transport | $35 | $75 |
| Utilities | $165 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $1,180/month | $606/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in McAllen equivalent to in St. Louis?
$40K in McAllen (COL index 78) has the same purchasing power as $44,615 in St. Louis (COL index 87). That's 12% more than your current salary.
If I move from McAllen to St. Louis keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in St. Louis are higher, so on the same $40K salary you'd have $574 less per month. You'd need to earn $44,615 to maintain the same standard of living.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (87 ÷ 78) = $44,615. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — McAllen to St. Louis
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only