Chesterfield, MO vs St. Joseph, MO

The cost of living difference between Chesterfield, MO and St. Joseph, MO is dramatic. St. Joseph is 70.1% cheaper than Chesterfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chesterfield has a cost index of 118 while St. Joseph sits at 69, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Chesterfield is $1,553/month compared to $884/month in St. Joseph — a 76% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Joseph is more affordable at $144,200 median vs $458,000.

Median household income in Chesterfield is $133,380 compared to $55,578 in St. Joseph (+140%). While Chesterfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chesterfield spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in St. Joseph.