Counties › Missouri

Cost of Living in St. Louis County, MO

Population 995,569 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,209
Median home value$276,800
Median household income$82,936

The median rent in St. Louis County, MO is $1,209/month, 17% higher than the Missouri median and 14% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $276,800, 17% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $82,936 a year, 17% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 17.5%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $48,360/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,400/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

St. Louis County vs. Missouri vs. U.S.

St. Louis CountyMissouriU.S.
Median rent$1,209$1,033$1,413
Median home value$276,800$230,300$332,700
Median household income$82,936$70,702$80,734
Homeownership rate69.2%68.1%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher47.4%32.4%35.7%
Poverty rate9.8%12.6%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.3%4.0%5.2%
Work from home18.3%13.0%15.1%
Median age40.339.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in St. Louis County, MO?

The median gross rent in St. Louis County, MO is $1,209 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in St. Louis County, MO?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $48,360 a year in gross income.

Is St. Louis County, MO expensive to live in?

Rent there is 14% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.3 times the median household income.

Other counties in Missouri

Jackson County, MORent $1,197 · Income $68,577St. Charles County, MORent $1,370 · Income $104,692Greene County, MORent $989 · Income $61,479St. Louis city, MORent $997 · Income $56,160Clay County, MORent $1,243 · Income $88,468Jefferson County, MORent $979 · Income $82,851

Counties with a similar cost of living

Robertson County, TNRent $1,199 · Income $83,047Cache County, UTRent $1,213 · Income $81,665Chelan County, WARent $1,226 · Income $82,381Dinwiddie County, VARent $1,224 · Income $83,704Roanoke County, VARent $1,224 · Income $83,709Madison County, MSRent $1,186 · Income $83,441

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Wix Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers (2026)Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.