salarySt. Louis is the 2nd-largest city in Missouri that we track, with 288,512 residents. Rent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,880 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Missouri. It is number 75 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare St. Louis with other big cities
Compare St. Louis to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in St. Louis?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Louis
| Size | St. Louis | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $989 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $973 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,264 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,347 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,388 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Louis overall?
Everyday prices in the St. Louis metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in St. Louis
Life in St. Louis
What jobs pay in St. Louis
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $142,690 | 10.9% |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | 11.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | 11.8% |
| Software Developer | $129,030 | 12.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | 15.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,830 | 16.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,290 | 16.2% |
| Operations Manager | $93,140 | 16.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | 18.7% |
| Accountant | $78,880 | 19.7% |
| Electrician | $77,170 | 20.2% |
| Plumber | $77,000 | 20.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,130 | 21.0% |
| Police Officer | $73,240 | 21.3% |
| Carpenter | $70,990 | 21.9% |
| Firefighter | $68,970 | 22.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,120 | 23.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,000 | 24.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,650 | 25.7% |
| Truck Driver | $58,240 | 26.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,800 | 34.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,710 | 34.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,780 | 37.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,110 | 39.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,690 | 41.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,820 | 46.0% |
| Cashier | $32,380 | 48.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 49.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Louis?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $73 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $197,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,750 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Louis, MO?
Renting in St. Louis costs a median of about $1,297 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Louis?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,880 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Louis cheap or expensive?
St. Louis is rated OK: rent takes 25.7% of the typical household income of $60,569. It ranks 75th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Louis?
The median homeowner in St. Louis pays $2,033 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is St. Louis more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Louis?
The median home value in St. Louis is $197,500, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
288,512 people live in St. Louis. Numbers are typical (middle) values.