St. Louis vs Glendale: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in St. Louis, Missouri compare to Glendale, Arizona? 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 44% lower in St. Louis compared to Glendale, while rent is 26% lower. State income tax is 4.8% in MO vs 2.5% in AZ.
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Glendale, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $174,100 | $310,000 | -43.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $938 | $1,268 | -26.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $52,941 | $66,375 | -20.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $36,722 | $30,316 | +21.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.8% | 2.5% | +92.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.3% | 8.4% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 298,018 | 248,083 | +20.1% |
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 — 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.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Glendale
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 St. Louis costs $174,100 compared to $310,000 in Glendale — a 44% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $938/mo in St. Louis vs $1,268/mo in Glendale.
- Income: Median household income is $52,941 in St. Louis and $66,375 in Glendale.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.8% in Missouri vs 2.5% in Arizona.
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).