Cost of Living in St. Louis County, Missouri
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How St. Louis County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
St. Louis County ranks #2,681 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 15%)
Sourced county brief
St. Louis County Official GRAPI Exceeds State Unweighted County Mean
In St. Louis County, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was estimated at 29.3%. This figure is 3.4 percentage points higher than the Missouri unweighted county mean of 25.9%. The median gross rent for the county was $1,209 per month, which is $426 above the state unweighted county mean of $783. Median home values were $276,800, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $175,712. Owners experienced median selected monthly owner costs of $1,347, while the state unweighted county mean was $803. The median income for renter households was $49,422. These estimates are derived from the American Community Survey 5-year data release. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: St. Louis County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.3% of renter household income in St. Louis County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,209 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,347. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $48,360 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Missouri unweighted mean of county median rents is $783 per month. St. Louis County's $1,209 median is 54.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in St. Louis County
Rent Burden
17.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,935
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.5%
of gross income
The median home in St. Louis County may be a stretch
Median home value is $276,800. Estimated monthly cost: $2,210 vs. your max of $1,935.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in St. Louis County, Missouri?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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