Clayton, MO vs De Soto, MO

The cost of living difference between Clayton, MO and De Soto, MO is dramatic. De Soto is 112% cheaper than Clayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clayton has a cost index of 149 while De Soto sits at 70, 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 Clayton is $1,648/month compared to $828/month in De Soto — a 99% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: De Soto is more affordable at $144,000 median vs $799,200.

Median household income in Clayton is $128,898 compared to $46,181 in De Soto (+179.1%). While Clayton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clayton spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 21.5% in De Soto.