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Cost of Living in East St. Louis

East St. Louis, Illinois, United States · Population 17,999

▼ -16% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,110
Couple, monthly$2,021
Family of four, monthly$2,664

Estimated Prices in East St. Louis

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$10.13per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$40.50per meal
Cappuccino$3.04each
Monthly groceries (single person)$230per month
Monthly public transport pass$37.13per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$97.88per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$28.35per month
Fitness club membership$28.35per month
Cinema ticket$7.43each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$625per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$435per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,304per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in East St. Louis is $3,510 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,110 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,443 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($435) represents about 39% of the total single-person budget.

Compare East St. Louis

East St. Louis vs New YorkEast St. Louis vs Los AngelesEast St. Louis vs ChicagoEast St. Louis vs MiamiEast St. Louis vs HoustonEast St. Louis vs Dallas

Nearby Cities

Cahokia Heights

5 km away · Illinois

St. Louis

10 km away · Missouri

Fairview Heights

11 km away · Illinois

Granite City

13 km away · Illinois

Collinsville

13 km away · Illinois

Swansea

14 km away · Illinois

Lemay

16 km away · Missouri

Belleville

16 km away · Illinois

Other Major Cities in United States

New York

New York · pop. 19,268,388

$1,664 / mo

Los Angeles

California · pop. 11,984,083

$1,635 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Living in East St. Louis

East St. Louis is one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,110, placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $435 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $2,664 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,021 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in East St. Louis is $3,510. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,443 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East St. Louis expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,110 per month in East St. Louis including rent outside the city centre. That is 16% less than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in East St. Louis?
A net salary of around $1,443 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in East St. Louis with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in East St. Louis is $3,510.
How much is rent in East St. Louis?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $625 per month in the city centre and $435 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,304.
Is East St. Louis cheaper than United States on average?
Yes — East St. Louis is estimated to be about 16% cheaper than the United States average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in East St. Louis?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $230 in East St. Louis. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $10 and a cappuccino runs around $3.
How do transport costs in East St. Louis compare?
A monthly public transport pass in East St. Louis is estimated at $37. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for East St. Louis are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 17,999). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.