Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Saint Louis

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Saint Louis, Missouri.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 18% more expensive than Saint Louis. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,135/mo in Saint Louis.

Rent in Chicago vs Saint Louis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Saint Louis · Studio

$951

Chicago is $507 (53%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Saint Louis · 1 bedroom

$984

Chicago is $576 (59%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Saint Louis · 2 bedroom

$1,215

Chicago is $546 (45%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Saint Louis · 3 bedroom

$1,570

Chicago is $692 (44%) higher than Saint Louis

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Saint Louis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Saint Louis · Household income

$81,340

Chicago is $457 (1%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Saint Louis · Individual earnings

$47,763

Chicago is $1,535 (3%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Saint Louis · Per capita

$51,085

Saint Louis is $3,284 (7%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Saint Louis

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Saint Louis · Average home value

$260,700

Chicago is $44,500 (17%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Saint Louis · Annual property tax

$3,193

Chicago is $2,860 (90%) higher than Saint Louis

Energy in Chicago vs Saint Louis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Saint Louis · Monthly electricity

$142

Saint Louis is $26 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Saint Louis · Monthly gas

$52

Chicago is $9 (17%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Saint Louis · Annual total

$2,328

Saint Louis is $204 (10%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Saint Louis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Saint Louis · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Saint Louis are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Saint Louis · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Saint Louis are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Saint Louis · Uninsured rate

5.8%

Chicago is 3.2% (55%) higher than Saint Louis

Taxes in Chicago vs Saint Louis

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Saint Louis · State income tax

4.8%

Chicago is 0.2% (3%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Saint Louis · State sales tax

4.2%

Chicago is 2.0% (48%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Saint Louis · Combined sales tax

8.3%

Chicago is 0.5% (6%) higher than Saint Louis

Transportation in Chicago vs Saint Louis

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Saint Louis · Average commute

23.3 min

Chicago is 8.6 min (37%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Saint Louis · Drive alone

73.7%

Saint Louis is 17.5% (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Saint Louis · Public transit

1.4%

Chicago is 11.6% (829%) higher than Saint Louis

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Saint Louis

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Saint Louis · Single person

$3,135

Chicago is $572 (18%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Saint Louis · Couple

$4,623

Chicago is $542 (12%) higher than Saint Louis

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Saint Louis · Family

$7,100

Chicago is $711 (10%) higher than Saint Louis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Saint Louis.

Is Chicago or Saint Louis more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,135/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Saint Louis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $984/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri. Chicago is approximately $576 (59%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Saint Louis?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Saint Louis households earn approximately $81,340 per year.

More on Chicago and Saint Louis

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Saint Louis profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.