Median rent is 37% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,572/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, St. Louis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 98.4 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
St. Louis is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.0 in St. Louis vs 98.4 in Raleigh (US national average = 100)
City A
Raleigh, NC
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Raleigh, NC?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$72,421
You could earn $2,579 less (3% lower) and break even.
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
Raleigh
North Carolina
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Louis — median rent of $997/mo versus $1,572/mo in Raleigh, a 37% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Raleigh: the median home is $415,800 versus $197,500 in St. Louis — 53% 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.
Raleigh
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 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.0 vs 98.4).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,395/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 Raleigh cheaper than St. Louis?
St. Louis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 98.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in St. Louis.
How much is rent in Raleigh vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 37%.
Which has higher salaries — Raleigh or St. Louis?
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh, NC and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Raleigh, NC 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 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Raleigh 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 Raleigh income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to roughly $96,561 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
