Salary Needed to Live in St. Louis as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $63,039/year to live comfortably in St. Louis, MO, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $63,039/year to live comfortably in St. Louis, MO. The bare-minimum salary is $52,816/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,787.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,257/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,253/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$63,039
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$52,816
$4,401/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,257
26% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in St. Louis
| Expense | St. Louis | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $847 | $1,641 | -48% |
| Groceries | $298 | $320 | -7% |
| Utilities | $174 | $225 | -23% |
| Transportation | $385 | $421 | -9% |
| Car Insurance | $133 | $211 | -37% |
| Health Insurance | $579 | $630 | -8% |
| Internet | $57 | $65 | -12% |
| Phone (x2) | $122 | $140 | -13% |
| Dining & Social | $392 | $450 | -13% |
| Entertainment | $157 | $180 | -13% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $113 | $130 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $3,257 | $4,413 | -26% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,257
Target savings (12%):$530/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,787
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$63,039
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$847
1-2BR Apartment rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus MO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$530/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
87/100
St. Louis is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $847/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $841/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $52,816/year as the survival floor and $63,039/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in St. Louis
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in St. Louis?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $63,039/year ($5,253/month gross) to live comfortably in St. Louis with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in St. Louis?
A 1-2br apartment in St. Louis costs approximately $847/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is St. Louis affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, St. Louis is 26% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).