Moving Support
IN → MO · Crossroads to Gateway City

Moving from Indianapolis to St. Louis?

Indianapolis to St. Louis — IN 3.15% to MO 5.95% costs $2,800/yr, housing same — Eli Lilly → Boeing Defense + Wash U.

  • 240 mi Distance
  • 4 hr Drive time
  • 0% lower Home prices
  • $-2,800/yr Tax savings on $100K
The Story

Indianapolis-to-St. Louis is Eli Lilly → Boeing Defense + Wash U move. IN 3.15% → MO 5.95% costs $2,800/yr. Housing same, COL 6% lower. Pull: Boeing Defense — F-18, F-15EX, MQ-25 production, Washington University medical (top NIH funding), Anheuser-Busch HQ, Edward Jones, Cardinals/Blues sports passion.

Why This Move

Why people move from Indianapolis to St. Louis.

  • Boeing Defense — F-18, F-15EX, MQ-25 production
  • Washington University medical — top NIH-funded research
  • Anheuser-Busch HQ + Edward Jones
  • BJC HealthCare + Mercy networks
  • Eli Lilly pharma → Wash U Med pharma research bridge
  • Cardinals + Blues sports passion
  • MetroLink light rail + walkable urban
  • Mississippi River culture
Cost Comparison

The money side of IN → MO.

Indianapolis

  • Median home$235,000
  • Income tax3.15% (IN flat)
  • Cost index89

St. Louis

  • Median home$235,000
  • Income tax4.95% MO + 1% STL (~5.95%)
  • Cost index84
What to Do in St. Louis

Things you'll want to know about your new city.

Bookmark this page — these are the icons of St. Louis, organized by what kind of day you're planning.

Outdoors & Recreation

  • Forest Park — 1,300 acres (50% larger than Central Park) with FREE zoo, art museum, history museum, science center
  • Missouri Botanical Garden — 1859 garden; Climatron, Japanese Garden, 79 acres

Culture & Arts

  • Gateway Arch National Park — 630-ft Eero Saarinen arch (1965); newest US national park
  • Saint Louis Art Museum (free) — Free admission in Forest Park; encyclopedic collection
  • Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour — Free Clydesdale stable + tour; iconic brewery since 1852
  • Busch Stadium (Cardinals) — MLB Cardinals; 11 World Series titles (most NL)
  • The Hill (Italian district) — Italian neighborhood — birthplace of toasted ravioli
  • Cahokia Mounds (15 min E in IL) — UNESCO World Heritage; pre-Columbian mound city

Family-Friendly

  • St. Louis Zoo (free) — Top-ranked US zoo — admission is free
  • City Museum — 10-story repurposed shoe factory turned playground; rooftop ferris wheel
Where to Eat

St. Louis's essential restaurants.

The dining list every St. Louis resident knows by heart. Save the spots, work through them.

  • Niche / Sidney Street Cafe Modern American Benton Park

    Gerard Craft (James Beard winner)

  • Pastaria Italian Clayton

    Gerard Craft — wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta

  • Pappy's Smokehouse BBQ Midtown

    Memphis-style ribs; cult favorite

  • Bogart's Smokehouse BBQ Soulard

    Pappy's offshoot; brisket and burnt ends

  • Imo's Pizza St. Louis pizza Multiple

    Cracker-thin crust, Provel cheese — STL-style icon

  • Charlie Gitto's Italian The Hill

    Original toasted ravioli inventor (allegedly)

  • Kingside Diner Diner Multiple

    Classic American breakfast/diner

  • Vicia Modern vegetable-forward Central West End

    Michael + Tara Gallina; James Beard nominees

Where to Live

Best St. Louis neighborhoods for Indianapolis transplants.

Mapped to the Indianapolis neighborhoods that probably feel like home to you.

  • Central West End

    If Mass Ave was your scene — walkable urban, restaurants

  • Soulard

    If Broad Ripple was your vibe — historic, walkable

  • The Hill

    If you wanted Italian/foodie — walkable, charming

  • Clayton (suburb)

    If Carmel was your model — affluent, top schools, walkable

  • Webster Groves (suburb)

    If Zionsville was your scene — historic, top schools

  • Kirkwood (suburb)

    If Fishers was your scene — top schools, walkable downtown

Climate & Walkability

What daily life feels like in St. Louis.

Climate

Humid continental. Hot, humid summers (68-89°F). Cold winters (25-43°F) with 17 inches snow. Spring tornado/storm risk. 41 inches rainfall, 202 sun days.

  • Summer68-89°F
  • Winter25-43°F
  • Sun days/yr202
  • Rainfall41 inches

Walkability

  • Walk Score64/100
  • Transit Score47/100
  • Bike Score52/100

St. Louis is somewhat walkable in central neighborhoods, car-dependent in suburbs.

Outdoors & Recreation

  • Forest Park — 1,300 acres with free zoo, museums, golf, lakes
  • Missouri Botanical Garden — 79 acres
  • Tower Grove Park — 289 acres Victorian park
  • Mississippi Riverfront — Gateway Arch grounds and beyond
  • Castlewood State Park (30 min west) — bluffs, hiking, mountain biking
  • Forest Park bike paths and Trolley Trail
Reality Check

What changes about your daily life.

  • IN 3.15% becomes MO 5.95% — costs $2,800/year on $100K
  • Housing same — $235K both
  • COL 6% lower
  • Climate similar humid continental
  • Property tax MO 1.0% similar to IN 0.85%
  • Car-dependent both
  • Eli Lilly pharma → Wash U Med pharma research pivot
  • Sports — gain Cardinals/Blues, lose Pacers/Colts
Driving Routes

How to drive there.

  • I-70 W

    240 miles. 4 hours / 1 day.

Move Logistics

What it takes to move 240 miles.

  • Full-service (3BR)$2,400-$4,800
  • Container/PODS$1,800-$3,200
  • DIY (26-ft truck)$1,300-$2,500
  • Best monthsApr-Oct
  • Lead time4-6 weeks ahead

USDOT-registered.

Common Questions

Moving from Indianapolis to St. Louis: FAQ.

Eli Lilly to Wash U Medicine?

Strong fit. Wash U Med pharma research collaborates with Lilly. Indy → STL pharma R&D pivot common.

Worth $2,800/yr tax?

For Boeing/Wash U career + cheaper COL, often yes. Easy 4-hour move.

Indianapolis guide St. Louis guide
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