with $100k coming in, swapping out of Chicago
changea dispatch from
st. louis
MO
38.63°N
90.20°W
St. Louis has the Arch (catenary curve and engineering marvel), Forest Park (bigger than Central Park and home to a free zoo, art museum, and history museum), and toasted ravioli, which was invented here. The Cardinals are a religion, the Hill neighborhood is wall-to-wall Italian red sauce, and Imo's makes pizza with Provel cheese that locals defend furiously. The skyline at sunset is underrated.
in our guides
the verdict
cheaper each month than Chicago
You'd feel the difference in St. Louis. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Chicago.
a quick ledger.
$1,411/mo
35% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)
4.7%
$21/mo less in state tax than Chicago
vs 4.95% in Chicago
$6,531/mo
$780 more than Chicago
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$277k
24% cheaper than Chicago
vs $365k in Chicago
2.8M
vs 9.3M in Chicago
field notes, weather & such.
174
pleasant days a year, in st. louis.
Chicago barely cracks 153 pleasant ones.
Chicago hosts 16.2× more events.
68/100
3% lower than Chicago
vs 70/100 in Chicago
Closest outdoor draw: Gateway Arch National Park, 0.7 mi.
87/100
13% lower than Chicago
vs 100/100 in Chicago
60
72% fewer than Chicago
vs 217 nonstops in Chicago
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