Kirkwood, MO vs St. Charles, MO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Charles is 16% cheaper than Kirkwood. With a cost index of 92 vs 107, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Charles to Kirkwood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Kirkwood is $1,293/month compared to $1,186/month in St. Charles — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Charles is more affordable at $280,800 median vs $421,500.

Median household income in Kirkwood is $117,439 compared to $85,522 in St. Charles (+37.3%). While Kirkwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kirkwood spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in St. Charles.