Side-by-side comparison

Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

Cost of living comparison for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Saint Louis, Missouri.

Bottom line

Philadelphia is approximately 8% more expensive than Saint Louis. A single person needs about $3,382/mo in Philadelphia versus $3,135/mo in Saint Louis.

Rent in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Saint Louis · Studio

$951

Philadelphia is $421 (44%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Saint Louis · 1 bedroom

$984

Philadelphia is $528 (54%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Saint Louis · 2 bedroom

$1,215

Philadelphia is $587 (48%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Saint Louis · 3 bedroom

$1,570

Philadelphia is $601 (38%) higher than Saint Louis

Income & earnings in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Saint Louis · Household income

$81,340

Saint Louis is $20,642 (34%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Saint Louis · Individual earnings

$47,763

Saint Louis is $5,285 (12%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Saint Louis · Per capita

$51,085

Saint Louis is $13,416 (36%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

Average values and property tax.

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Saint Louis · Average home value

$260,700

Saint Louis is $28,300 (12%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Saint Louis · Annual property tax

$3,193

Saint Louis is $1,241 (64%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Saint Louis · Monthly electricity

$142

Philadelphia is $1 (1%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Saint Louis · Monthly gas

$52

Philadelphia is $10 (19%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Saint Louis · Annual total

$2,328

Philadelphia is $132 (6%) higher than Saint Louis

Healthcare in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Saint Louis · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia and Saint Louis are about the same

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Saint Louis · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia and Saint Louis are about the same

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Saint Louis · Uninsured rate

5.8%

Philadelphia is 1.4% (24%) higher than Saint Louis

Taxes in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

State income and sales tax.

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Saint Louis · State income tax

4.8%

Saint Louis is 1.7% (56%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Saint Louis · State sales tax

4.2%

Philadelphia is 1.8% (42%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Saint Louis · Combined sales tax

8.3%

Saint Louis is 1.9% (31%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

Commute time and travel modes.

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Saint Louis · Average commute

23.3 min

Philadelphia is 8.7 min (37%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Saint Louis · Drive alone

73.7%

Saint Louis is 27.0% (58%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Saint Louis · Public transit

1.4%

Philadelphia is 16.5% (1179%) higher than Saint Louis

Monthly cost estimates in Philadelphia vs Saint Louis

All categories combined.

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Saint Louis · Single person

$3,135

Philadelphia is $247 (8%) higher than Saint Louis

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Saint Louis · Couple

$4,623

Saint Louis is $63 (1%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Saint Louis · Family

$7,100

Saint Louis is $41 (1%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Philadelphia and Saint Louis.

Is Philadelphia or Saint Louis more expensive?

Philadelphia is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and $3,135/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri, a difference of about 8%.

What is the rent difference between Philadelphia and Saint Louis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $1,512/mo versus $984/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri. Philadelphia is approximately $528 (54%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Philadelphia or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis has the higher average household income. Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year; Saint Louis households earn approximately $81,340 per year.

More on Philadelphia and Saint Louis

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

Philadelphia 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.