Median rent is 20% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,251/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $315,700. Households earn more in New Orleans ($56,631 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, New Orleans is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.2 against 95.0 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in New Orleans, LA.
Cost of living verdict
New Orleans is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.2 in New Orleans vs 95.0 in St. Louis (US national average = 100)
City A
New Orleans, LA
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from New Orleans, LA?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$78,108
You'd need $3,108 more (4% 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
New Orleans
Louisiana
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 $1,251/mo in New Orleans (20% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New Orleans: the median home is $315,700 versus $197,500 in St. Louis — 37% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
New Orleans
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 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New Orleans if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.2 vs 95.0).
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 New Orleans cheaper than St. Louis?
New Orleans is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.2 versus 95.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in New Orleans.
How much is rent in New Orleans vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,251/mo in New Orleans, LA and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — New Orleans or St. Louis?
Median household income is $56,631 in New Orleans, LA and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. New Orleans, LA 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 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — New Orleans 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 New Orleans income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in New Orleans, LA is equivalent to roughly $104,144 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
