New York vs St. Louis
Cost of Living Comparison
New York
To match your lifestyle in St. Louis, you'd need:
$29,403
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
St. Louis
To match your lifestyle in New York, you'd need:
$161,170
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $23,549 more per year in St. Louis compared to New York. You'd pay $3,245 less in taxes in St. Louis, while housing costs 58% less. The cost of living in New York is 50% above avg, while St. Louis is 19% below avg, making St. Louis the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in New York feels like earning $29,403 in St. Louis once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, St. Louis has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in New York ($19,246 vs $19,651 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York or St. Louis more expensive?
New York is more expensive with a cost of living index of 149.7 vs 80.6 (national average = 100).
What salary in St. Louis equals $70,000 in New York?
You would need to earn approximately $29,403 in St. Louis to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in New York, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in New York vs St. Louis?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $34,920 in New York and $14,616 in St. Louis—housing is 58% less in St. Louis.