Seattle-Bellevue vs St. Louis
Cost of Living Comparison
Seattle-Bellevue
To match your lifestyle in St. Louis, you'd need:
$34,141
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
St. Louis
To match your lifestyle in Seattle-Bellevue, you'd need:
$144,860
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $15,396 more per year in St. Louis compared to Seattle-Bellevue. You'd pay $0 less in taxes in St. Louis, while housing costs 51% less. The cost of living in Seattle-Bellevue is 52% above avg, while St. Louis is 19% below avg, making St. Louis the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Seattle-Bellevue feels like earning $34,141 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 Seattle-Bellevue ($16,908 vs $19,651 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle-Bellevue or St. Louis more expensive?
Seattle-Bellevue is more expensive with a cost of living index of 151.6 vs 80.6 (national average = 100).
What salary in St. Louis equals $70,000 in Seattle-Bellevue?
You would need to earn approximately $34,141 in St. Louis to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Seattle-Bellevue, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Seattle-Bellevue vs St. Louis?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $30,012 in Seattle-Bellevue and $14,616 in St. Louis—housing is 51% less in St. Louis.