Is St. Louis, MO cheaper or more expensive than Chicago, IL?

St. Louis, MO (RPP 96.7) is cheaper than Chicago, IL (RPP 105.7) by about 8.5%.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO if I earn $100,000 in Chicago, IL?

You would need approximately $91,485 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, IL. Formula: $100,000 x (96.7 / 105.7).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Chicago, IL or St. Louis, MO?

For 2021-2022, Chicago, IL had a net loss of 73,936 people, while St. Louis, MO had a net loss of 5,249 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Chicago, IL vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Chicago, IL

Overall RPP (US=100): 105.7
Housing RPP: 110.9
Goods RPP: 106.7
2-BR median rent: $1,714/mo

Illinois flat income tax 4.95%. Chicago city tax adds ~2.25% effective burden.

St. Louis, MO

Overall RPP (US=100): 96.7
Housing RPP: 80
Goods RPP: 101.8
2-BR median rent: $1,209/mo

Missouri income tax up to 4.95%. St. Louis earnings tax 1%.

Equivalent salary

St. Louis, MO is cheaper than Chicago, IL by about 8.5% (RPP 105.7 to 96.7).

$60,000 in Chicago, IL

-> $54,891

in St. Louis, MO

$100,000 in Chicago, IL

-> $91,485

in St. Louis, MO

$150,000 in Chicago, IL

-> $137,228

in St. Louis, MO

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Chicago, IL vs St. Louis, MO

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Chicago, IL

Net people: −73,936
Net rank: #63 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 2%

Largest source: Los Angeles County, CA. Largest destination: Maricopa County, AZ.

St. Louis, MO

Net people: −5,249
Net rank: #43 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 1%

Largest source: Cook County, IL. Largest destination: Cook County, IL.

Rent delta: St. Louis, MO is $505/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Chicago, IL. Housing RPP moves from 110.9 to 80.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Louis, MO cheaper or more expensive than Chicago, IL?: St. Louis, MO (RPP 96.7) is cheaper than Chicago, IL (RPP 105.7) by about 8.5%.
What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO if I earn $100,000 in Chicago, IL?: You would need approximately $91,485 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, IL. Formula: $100,000 x (96.7 / 105.7).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Chicago, IL or St. Louis, MO?: For 2021-2022, Chicago, IL had a net loss of 73,936 people, while St. Louis, MO had a net loss of 5,249 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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