Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from St. Louis to Phoenix
The 2024 ACS 5-year data shows Phoenix has higher median income ($81,332 vs $56,160) and higher housing costs (rent $1,582 vs $997; home value $420,700 vs $197,500) than St. Louis. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 24 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state income tax in the model, while St. Louis excludes state tax due to lack of approved reference. These trade-offs reflect differing cost-of-living and earnings profiles.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → St. LouisMoving from St. Louis to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$585/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$7,020 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+4 min / day
Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSTL → PHX
51/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,564after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, St. Louis is about $7,020 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
St. Louis household income$56,160
Phoenix household income$81,332
St. Louis gross rent$997
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | St. Louis | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 288,512 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $56,160 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $997 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $197,500 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 24 minutes in St. Louis and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
What each city wins
St. Louis
Affordable options available. Watch rent vs owner-occupied costs.
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Phoenix has higher median rent and home values than St. Louis, but also substantially higher income; the rent-to-income ratio is more favorable in Phoenix despite absolute costs being greater.
How does the tax assumption affect take-home pay comparison?
The model applies a 2.50% state income tax to Phoenix income but excludes state tax for St. Louis due to unapproved reference, meaning Phoenix’s after-tax income is reduced in the calculation while St. Louis’ is not adjusted for state tax.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.