Median rent is 6% lower in St. Peters ($1,291/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Peters, where the median home runs $252,800 versus $315,200. Households earn more in St. Peters ($89,827 vs $75,134 a year). Taken together, St. Peters is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.9 against 105.7 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in St. Peters, MO.
Quick verdict
St. Peters is 6% cheaper overall
Cost index: 99.9 in St. Peters vs 105.7 in Chicago (US average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
St. Peters, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Peters, MO to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in St. Peters, MO
$70,849
You could earn $4,151 less (6% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
St. Peters
Missouri
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in St. Peters at $1,291/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (6% gap). Median home values are within 20% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $252,800 in St. Peters.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 4.80% in Missouri, so St. Peters is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.22% in Missouri; St. Peters has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
St. Peters
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for St. Peters.
Pick St. Peters if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 99.9 vs 105.7).
Pick St. Peters if you prioritize higher median household income ($89,827/yr).
Pick St. Peters if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.80%).
Is Chicago cheaper than St. Peters?
St. Peters is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.9 versus 105.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in St. Peters.
How much is rent in Chicago vs St. Peters?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,291/mo in St. Peters, MO. St. Peters, MO has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or St. Peters?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $89,827 in St. Peters, MO. St. Peters, MO has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or St. Peters?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Missouri's is 4.80%. St. Peters, MO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in St. Peters to match my Chicago income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $94,466 in St. Peters, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology