Omaha vs St. Louis: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Omaha, Nebraska compare to St. Louis, Missouri? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: St. Louis is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 21% higher in Omaha compared to St. Louis, while rent is 17% higher. State income tax is 6.64% in NE vs 4.8% in MO.
| Metric | Omaha, NE | St. Louis, MO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $210,300 | $174,100 | +20.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,099 | $938 | +17.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $70,202 | $52,941 | +32.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $40,081 | $36,722 | +9.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 6.6% | 4.8% | +38.3% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.9% | 8.3% | -16.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 489,201 | 298,018 | +64.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Omaha
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — St. Louis
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Omaha costs $210,300 compared to $174,100 in St. Louis — a 21% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,099/mo in Omaha vs $938/mo in St. Louis.
- Income: Median household income is $70,202 in Omaha and $52,941 in St. Louis.
- Taxes: State income tax is 6.64% in Nebraska vs 4.8% in Missouri.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).