City Comparison · 2026
St Louis vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in St Louis = $144k in Chicago
Metric
St Louis
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.96
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,200/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,500/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
MO
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,969
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.03%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$59,569
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | St Louis MO | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,461 $3,955/mo · 20.9% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,969 $6,164/mo · 26.03% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,036 $8,836/mo · 29.31% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Louis or Chicago cheaper to live in?
St Louis has a cost-of-living index of 0.96 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). St Louis is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in St Louis is $1,200/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs St Louis?
$100k in St Louis = $144k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 43.7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — St Louis or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,969 in MO (St Louis) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $59,569 in St Louis vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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