Moving from Chicago to St. Louis?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Chicago lifestyle in St. Louis, you'd need to earn:
$68,838/year
▼ $6,162 less than you make now
| Category | Chicago | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $68,838 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$6,758 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,268 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$998 |
| State Tax | -$3,713 | -$3,059 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,436 | $53,754 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -8.2% in St. Louis
- Housing is -29.5% in St. Louis
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $363/year in taxes in St. Louis
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~262 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Chicago to St. Louis
| Your Chicago Salary | St. Louis Equivalent | Difference | St. Louis Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $36,714 | -$3,286 | $29,989 |
| $50,000 | $45,892 | -$4,108 | $36,932 |
| $60,000 | $55,070 | -$4,930 | $43,875 |
| $75,000 | $68,838 | -$6,162 | $53,754 |
| $100,000 | $91,784 | -$8,216 | $68,818 |
| $150,000 | $137,676 | -$12,324 | $98,560 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Chicago and St. Louis Compare
Housing (29% cheaper in St. Louis)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in St. Louis rents for $990/month compared to $1,975/month in Chicago. Median home prices: $235,000 in St. Louis vs $374,000 in Chicago.
Taxes
Illinois has a flat 5.0% state income tax. Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to St. Louis would save you about $363/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
St. Louis's overall cost of living is 8.2% lower than Chicago, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Chicago: 103.6, St. Louis: 95.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Chicago to St. Louis move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in St. Louis
Average 1BR rent in St. Louis: $990/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →