Clayton, MO vs University City, MO

The cost of living difference between Clayton, MO and University City, MO is dramatic. University City is 56.6% cheaper than Clayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clayton has a cost index of 149 while University City sits at 95, 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 $1,265/month in University City — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: University City is more affordable at $285,100 median vs $799,200.

Median household income in Clayton is $128,898 compared to $76,466 in University City (+68.6%). 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 19.9% in University City.