Salary & Cost of Living in University City, MO
University City, MO: $42,807 median salary, cost of living index 87.3, $12.30/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$42,807
$21/hr
Cost of Living
87.3
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.30
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
University City, MO Overview
Population
34,504
Median Salary
$42,807
Average Salary
$47,944
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$185,000
Median Rent
$757/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
4.225%
University City is located in Missouri with a population of 34,504. The median household salary is $42,807 per year ($21/hour), which is $16,577 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
University City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in University City, MO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $42,807 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $26,540 | $12.76/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $42,807 | $20.58/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $60,786 | $29.22/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $76,196 | $36.63/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
University City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in University City, MO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$34,020
$2,834.97/month · $1,308.45/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.5%
Gross Pay
$42,807
Federal Tax
-$3,098
State Tax
-$2,119
Local Tax
-$295
FICA
-$3,275
Net Pay
$34,020
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,567.25 | $42,807.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$258.20 | -$3,098.34 |
| Missouri State Tax (4.95%) | -$176.58 | -$2,118.95 |
| Local Tax (0.69%) | -$24.61 | -$295.37 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$221.17 | -$2,654.03 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$51.73 | -$620.70 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,834.97 | $34,019.61 |
Salary Comparison: University City vs Other Cities
See how University City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| University City, MO | $42,807 | 87.3 | $49,034 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Alamogordo, NM | $42,803 | 85.9 | $49,829 |
| Lancaster, OH | $42,816 | 84.2 | $50,850 |
| St. Peters, MO | $42,842 | 85 | $50,402 |
| Chesterfield, MO | $42,742 | 86.8 | $49,242 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in University City
University City's cost of living index is 87.3 (national average = 100). Living in University City is 12.700000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$185,000
Median Monthly Rent
$757
Annual Rent Cost
$9,084
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $34,020 annual take-home pay in University City has the purchasing power of approximately $38,969 in an average-cost US area. Your $42,807 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in University City
University City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $42,807.
Salary Tips for University City Workers
- Your salary goes further here. University City has a cost of living 12.700000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $42,807 here has the purchasing power of about $49,034 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. University City's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $42,807 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate University City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the University City-MO metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with University City indexed at 87.3.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of University City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $42,807 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Missouri state income tax (4.95%), plus University City local tax of 0.69%, sales tax (4.225%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for University City: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Missouri.
- Housing context: median home price $185,000, median rent $757/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for University City, MO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — University City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — University City QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Missouri — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. University City's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Missouri labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in University City, MO?
The median salary in University City, MO is $42,807 per year, or $21 per hour. The average salary is $47,944. This is $16,577 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in University City, MO?
University City's cost of living index is 87.3 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.700000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $185,000 and the median monthly rent is $757.
What are the best industries in University City?
The top industries in University City, MO include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $42,807.
How does University City's salary compare to other cities?
University City's median salary of $42,807 is 27.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.3), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,034.
What is the minimum wage in University City, MO?
The minimum wage in University City, MO is $12.30 per hour. This equals approximately $25,584 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $5.05 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.