Quick answer
St. Louis costs $815/month less overall ($1,580 vs $2,395/mo). Both cities have 4.95% state income tax, so the rent gap is the real difference.
City Comparison · 2026
Chicago vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Chicago vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Chicago | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,850 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,350 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $340K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $390 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,395 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 78/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 65/100 ✓ | 38/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,850 in Chicago — a $750/month difference, or $9,000/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Both cities carry the same state income tax rate (4.95%), so this isn't a differentiator.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $340K in Chicago. At a 20% down payment, that's a $25,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Chicago utilities run $10 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Chicago, IL
Chicago's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Chicago
Four true seasons; brutal winters (wind chills below -20°F common); outstanding summers
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Chicago top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Chicago if…
- →You're a urban explorers
- →You're a foodies
- →You're a architecture lovers
- →You're a transit users
- →You're a theater fans
- →You want to live without a car
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $2,395 in Chicago — a $815/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Chicago or St. Louis?
Chicago is more walkable with a Walk Score of 78/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
Chicago vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Both Chicago and St. Louis have the same state income tax rate (4.95%).
Is Chicago or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $340K in Chicago — a $125,000 difference on the median home.