Quick answer
St. Louis costs $485/month less overall ($1,580 vs $2,065/mo). But Scottsdale's 2.5% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,960/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Scottsdale 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
Scottsdale vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Scottsdale | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,550 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $625K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $340 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,065 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 62/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 31/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 2.5% ✓ | 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 $1,550 in Scottsdale — a $450/month difference, or $5,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Scottsdale charges 2.5% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $1,960/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $3,000 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $625K in Scottsdale. At a 20% down payment, that's a $82,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Scottsdale utilities run $30 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale'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
Scottsdale
Desert with extremely hot, dry summers (108-115°F, <10% humidity). Mild winters (60-75°F, 40% humidity). Nearly 300 days of sunshine; virtually no rainfall May-October.
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Scottsdale top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Scottsdale if…
- →You're a Retirees
- →You're a Wealthy professionals
- →You're a Healthcare workers
- →You're a Resort/hospitality workers
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 Scottsdale 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 $2,065 in Scottsdale — a $485/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Scottsdale or St. Louis?
Scottsdale is more walkable with a Walk Score of 62/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
Scottsdale vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Scottsdale has lower state income tax (2.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,960/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Scottsdale or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $625K in Scottsdale — a $410,000 difference on the median home.