Quick answer
St. Louis costs $225/month less overall ($1,580 vs $1,805/mo). But Durham's 4.75% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $160/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Durham 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
Durham vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $425K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $335 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 ✓ | 38/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% ✓ | 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 $1,350 in Durham — a $250/month difference, or $3,000/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Durham charges 4.75% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $160/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $425K in Durham. At a 20% down payment, that's a $42,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: St. Louis utilities run $10 more per month than Durham.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Durham, NC
Durham'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
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Durham top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
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 Durham 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 $1,805 in Durham — a $225/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or St. Louis?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
Durham vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Durham has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $160/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Durham or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $425K in Durham — a $210,000 difference on the median home.