Cost of Living in St. Louis city, Missouri

$978/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$185,100

Median Home Value

27% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$978/mo

27% above state average

Median Home Value

$185,100

34% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

27.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How St. Louis city Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

St. Louis city$978/mo

Missouri Average$768/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$978/mo

Median Gross Rent

$185,100

Median Home Value

$1,093/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

27.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in St. Louis city, Missouri

St. Louis City's affordability crisis

St. Louis City renters dedicate 21.2% of income to housing—far exceeding both the national norm and Missouri's 15.6% state average. With $978 monthly rents and a median household income of just $55,279, residents here face the sharpest affordability squeeze among peer counties.

Least affordable county in Missouri

St. Louis City ranks at the bottom of Missouri counties for housing affordability, with a 21.2% rent-to-income ratio that far surpasses the state average. This disparity reflects decades of disinvestment, population loss, and concentrated poverty affecting the city's housing market.

City premium vs. suburban escape

St. Louis City's $978 rent exceeds St. Louis County ($1,164) in absolute terms but devours a far larger income share (21.2% vs. 17.2%) due to lower wages. Nearby suburbs like St. Charles offer better rent-to-income ratios despite similar absolute costs, explaining population outflows.

Housing overshadows other needs

A St. Louis City household earning $55,279 annually ($4,607/month) dedicates $978 to rent or $1,093 to mortgage, consuming 21-24% of gross income. This leaves only $3,500 monthly for all other expenses—a burden that forces difficult trade-offs in healthcare, food, and savings.

Reconsider St. Louis unless income supports it

St. Louis City offers urban amenities and cultural richness but carries the state's worst housing affordability for typical earners, consuming over one-fifth of income. If you earn less than $80,000 annually, explore St. Louis County suburbs or outlying counties for dramatically better cost-of-living ratios.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in St. Louis city

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

21.2%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,290

per month

Owner Cost Burden

23.7%

of gross income

The median home in St. Louis city may be a stretch

Median home value is $185,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,478 vs. your max of $1,290.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio21.2%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Louis city, Missouri?

St. Louis city, Missouri has a median monthly rent of $978/mo and a median home value of $185,100. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 27.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in St. Louis city?

The median gross rent in St. Louis city is $978/mo. This is 27% above state average for Missouri.

Is St. Louis city affordable?

St. Louis city is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 27.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does St. Louis city's rent compare to the state average?

St. Louis city's median rent of $978/mo is 27% above state average of $768/mo for Missouri.

What is the median home value in St. Louis city?

The median home value in St. Louis city, Missouri is $185,100. This is 34% below the national median home value of $281,900.