St. Louis is one of the most affordable major metros in the US — low housing costs, reasonable taxes, and a revitalizing downtown.
Quick Answer: Salary Needed for St. Louis
| Living Situation | Minimum Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, downtown/CWE | $45,000 | $60,000-$80,000 |
| Single, suburbs | $35,000 | $45,000-$65,000 |
| Single, with roommates | $28,000 | $35,000-$45,000 |
| Family of 4 | $60,000 | $85,000-$120,000 |
St. Louis Housing Costs
Housing in St. Louis is remarkably affordable compared to coastal cities.
Average Rent by Area (2026)
| Area | Studio | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central West End | $1,100 | $1,500 | $2,100 |
| Downtown | $1,000 | $1,400 | $1,900 |
| Clayton | $1,200 | $1,600 | $2,200 |
| The Grove | $900 | $1,200 | $1,700 |
| Soulard | $900 | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| South City | $700 | $950 | $1,300 |
| North County | $700 | $900 | $1,200 |
Salary Needed for St. Louis Rent (30% Rule)
| Apartment | Monthly Rent | Annual Salary Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Central West End 1BR | $1,500 | $60,000 |
| Downtown 1BR | $1,400 | $56,000 |
| The Grove 1BR | $1,200 | $48,000 |
| South City 1BR | $950 | $38,000 |
Monthly Budget in St. Louis
Single Person, $55,000 Salary (Central West End)
After tax (federal + MO state): ~$43,500/year = $3,625/month
| Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,200 | 1BR in CWE |
| Utilities | $120 | Electric, gas, internet |
| Transportation | $350 | Car + insurance + gas |
| Food | $400 | Groceries + dining |
| Phone | $60 | Cell plan |
| Insurance | $150 | Health + renter’s |
| Entertainment | $200 | City attractions |
| Savings | $500 | 401(k), emergency |
| Discretionary | $645 |
Single Person, $40,000 Salary (South City)
After tax: ~$32,500/year = $2,708/month
| Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $850 | 1BR in South City |
| Utilities | $100 | Basic utilities |
| Transportation | $300 | Older car, basics |
| Food | $300 | Cooking at home |
| Phone | $50 | Budget plan |
| Insurance | $120 | Basic coverage |
| Entertainment | $150 | Blues, Cardinals games |
| Savings | $350 | Building slowly |
| Discretionary | $488 |
St. Louis Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Cost | vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | -25% | Well below average |
| Groceries | -3% | Slightly below |
| Transportation | -2% | Slightly below |
| Healthcare | +2% | Average |
| Utilities | -5% | Below average |
| Overall | -12% | Below average |
St. Louis Tax Situation
Missouri has moderate state income taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri State Tax | 1.5-4.8% | Progressive, max at $8,424+ income |
| St. Louis City Earnings Tax | 1% | Residents and workers in city limits |
| Federal | 10-37% | Progressive |
Example: $55,000 salary (St. Louis City resident)
- Federal tax: ~$6,000
- Missouri state tax: ~$2,300
- St. Louis earnings tax: ~$550
- Take-home: ~$43,500 (79%)
St. Louis vs. Other Midwest Cities
| City | Cost of Living | Avg. 1BR Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | +25% | $1,900 |
| Minneapolis | +10% | $1,500 |
| St. Louis | Baseline | $1,200 |
| Kansas City | -3% | $1,150 |
| Indianapolis | -5% | $1,100 |
St. Louis offers strong value in the Midwest with big-city amenities.
Best Neighborhoods by Budget
Under $40,000 Salary
- South City (many areas)
- North County suburbs
- West County (outer areas)
- Sharing an apartment
$40,000-$65,000 Salary
- The Grove
- Soulard
- Tower Grove South
- Maplewood
- University City
$65,000+ Salary
- Central West End
- Clayton
- Downtown
- Lafayette Square
- Webster Groves
St. Louis Job Market
Major employers and industries:
| Industry | Major Employers | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | BJC, SSM Health, Mercy | $40k-$250k |
| Finance | Edward Jones, Wells Fargo | $45k-$150k |
| Defense | Boeing, Leidos | $60k-$150k |
| Consumer Goods | AB InBev, Nestlé Purina | $50k-$120k |
| Tech | Growing startup scene | $60k-$140k |
| Higher Ed | WashU, SLU, UMSL | $40k-$150k |
Transportation in St. Louis
St. Louis is primarily car-dependent, but has some transit:
| Transportation | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Car (payment + insurance + gas) | $350-$550 |
| MetroLink (transit monthly) | $78 |
| MetroBus (monthly) | $78 |
| Combo transit pass | $78 |
Note: MetroLink light rail connects some key areas but doesn’t cover suburbs well.
Tips for Living in St. Louis
- Research neighborhoods — Quality and safety vary significantly
- City vs. County — City residents pay 1% earnings tax; consider living in County
- Sports culture — Cardinals, Blues games are affordable fun
- Free attractions — Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum are free
- Hot summers, cold winters — Budget for seasonal utility swings
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Zillow, Numbeo, local rental data. Updated March 2026.
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