Salary Needed to Live in St. Louis as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $45,930/year to live comfortably in St. Louis, MO, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $45,930/year to live comfortably in St. Louis, MO. The bare-minimum salary is $42,827/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,790.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,641/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $3,828/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$45,930
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$42,827
$3,569/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,641
27% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in St. Louis
| Expense | St. Louis | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $748 | $1,448 | -48% |
| Groceries | $176 | $189 | -7% |
| Utilities | $142 | $183 | -22% |
| Transportation | $193 | $211 | -9% |
| Car Insurance | $133 | $211 | -37% |
| Health Insurance | $579 | $630 | -8% |
| Medicare Supplement | $174 | $200 | -13% |
| Prescription Drugs | $131 | $150 | -13% |
| Internet + Phone | $104 | $120 | -13% |
| Recreation & Social | $174 | $200 | -13% |
| Home Maintenance | $87 | $100 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $2,641 | $3,642 | -27% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,641
Target savings (5%):$149/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,790
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$45,930
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$748
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus MO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$149/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 senior-friendly housing near $748/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $670/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $42,827/year as the survival floor and $45,930/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in St. Louis
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in St. Louis?
A retiree needs approximately $45,930/year ($3,828/month gross) to live comfortably in St. Louis with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in St. Louis?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in St. Louis costs approximately $748/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is St. Louis affordable for a retiree?
Yes, St. Louis is 27% more affordable than the national average for a retiree.