Quick answer
St. Louis costs $770/month less overall ($1,580 vs $2,350/mo). But Philadelphia's 3.07% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,504/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Philadelphia vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Philadelphia | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,350 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $280K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,350 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 79/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 67/100 ✓ | 38/100 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,800 in Philadelphia — a $700/month difference, or $8,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Philadelphia charges 3.07% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $1,504/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $3,684 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $280K in Philadelphia. At a 20% down payment, that's a $13,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Philadelphia utilities run $10 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Philadelphia
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with snow, beautiful fall foliage
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Philadelphia top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Philadelphia if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a urban lifestyle seekers
- →You're a NYC workers seeking lower costs
- →You want to live without a car
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philadelphia or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $2,350 in Philadelphia — a $770/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Philadelphia or St. Louis?
Philadelphia is more walkable with a Walk Score of 79/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
Philadelphia vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Philadelphia has lower state income tax (3.07%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,504/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Philadelphia or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $280K in Philadelphia — a $65,000 difference on the median home.