Median rent is 21% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,261/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $205,800. Households earn more in Pittsburgh ($65,742 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA.
City A
Pittsburgh, PA
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Pittsburgh, PA?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$75,211
You'd need $211 more (0% higher).
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
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Louis — median rent of $997/mo versus $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh, a 21% difference. Median home values are within 4% of each other: $205,800 in Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Pittsburgh averages 34.0 AQI (Good) and St. Louis averages 33.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Pittsburgh if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,742/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($997/mo median).
Is Pittsburgh cheaper than St. Louis?
Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh.
How much is rent in Pittsburgh vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh, PA and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Pittsburgh or St. Louis?
Median household income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh, PA and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Pittsburgh, PA 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 34.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Pittsburgh, PA is equivalent to roughly $100,282 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
