Median rent is 14% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,156/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $224,800. Households earn more in Indianapolis ($66,219 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, Indianapolis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.7 against 95.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Indianapolis, IN.
City A
Indianapolis, IN
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Indianapolis, IN?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$75,256
You'd need $256 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Indianapolis
Indiana
St. Louis
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in St. Louis at $997/mo compared to $1,156/mo in Indianapolis (14% gap). Median home values are within 12% of each other: $224,800 in Indianapolis and $197,500 in St. Louis.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Indianapolis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,219/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($997/mo median).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Indianapolis cheaper than St. Louis?
Indianapolis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.7 versus 95.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Indianapolis.
How much is rent in Indianapolis vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,156/mo in Indianapolis, IN and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Indianapolis or St. Louis?
Median household income is $66,219 in Indianapolis, IN and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Indianapolis, IN 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?
St. Louis, MO has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Indianapolis or St. Louis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Indianapolis income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Indianapolis, IN is equivalent to roughly $100,341 in St. Louis, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
