Des Peres, MO vs St. Paul, MO

The cost of living difference between Des Peres, MO and St. Paul, MO is dramatic. St. Paul is 57.7% cheaper than Des Peres, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Des Peres has a cost index of 140 while St. Paul sits at 89, 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 Des Peres is $1,931/month compared to $697/month in St. Paul — a 177% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Paul is more affordable at $421,900 median vs $591,800.

Median household income in Des Peres is $214,167 compared to $154,022 in St. Paul (+39%). The higher salaries in Des Peres partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Peres spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, more than the 5.4% in St. Paul.