WhereCanIAfford › Take-home › Washington, DC vs St. Louis, MO

Washington, DC vs St. Louis, MO: cost of living on $120,000

St. Louis, MO +$19,867/yr On $120,000, Washington, DC leaves $51,069/yr in pocket vs St. Louis, MO's $70,936 — after state income tax and housing.

Where the money goes

On $120,000Washington, DCSt. Louis, MO
Federal + FICA (est.)$29,580$29,580
State income tax$10,200 (8.50%)$5,640 (4.70%)
After-tax income$80,220$84,780
− Housing/yr (Zillow)$29,151$13,844
Real money in pocket$51,069$70,936

· State tax: Tax Foundation, “State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025” + state revenue departments. Modeled as an effective planning rate for a typical $80k–$160k filer — not a full bracket engine. · Housing from Zillow ZHVI 2026-05.

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FAQ

Is Washington, DC or St. Louis, MO cheaper?
On $120,000, St. Louis, MO — by $19,867/yr in real take-home.
What's the biggest driver?
State income tax (District of Columbia 8.50% vs Missouri 4.70%) and housing cost.

See also: FIRE in Washington, DC · salary to buy in Washington, DC · compare other cities →

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