Quick answer
St. Louis costs $370/month less overall ($1,580 vs $1,950/mo). But Salt Lake City's 4.65% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $240/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Salt Lake City 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
Salt Lake City vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Salt Lake City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,850 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $520K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $355 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,950 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 62/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 48/100 ✓ | 38/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% ✓ | 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 $1,450 in Salt Lake City — a $350/month difference, or $4,200/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Salt Lake City charges 4.65% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $240/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $5,580 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $520K in Salt Lake City. At a 20% down payment, that's a $61,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Utilities are essentially equal between both cities at $145/month.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City'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
Salt Lake City
Four seasons; cold snowy winters (world-class skiing 45 min away), warm dry summers, 300 sunny days
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Salt Lake City top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Salt Lake City if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a skiers
- →You're a families
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 Salt Lake City 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 $1,950 in Salt Lake City — a $370/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Salt Lake City or St. Louis?
Salt Lake City is more walkable with a Walk Score of 62/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
Salt Lake City vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Salt Lake City has lower state income tax (4.65%). On an $80K salary, that saves $240/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Salt Lake City or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $520K in Salt Lake City — a $305,000 difference on the median home.