Cost of Living: Boston vs St. Louis
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to St. Louis?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $65K in St. Louis. That means St. Louis offers 54% more spending power. Your money goes further in St. Louis.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in St. Louis
$65K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $65K in St. Louis vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
St. Louis
53.8
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
St. Louis is 35% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and St. Louis, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | St. Louis median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $119K | St. Louis wins by 20% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $71K | $66K | St. Louis wins by 42% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $141K | $137K | St. Louis wins by 51% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.65x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs St. Louis?
A: Boston is approximately 54% more expensive than St. Louis, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in St. Louis is equivalent to about $154K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in St. Louis?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in St. Louis, you would need approximately $154K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and St. Louis?
A: Based on 3 roles with salary data in both cities, St. Louis wins by 20% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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