Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Castro Valley, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 45.0% cheaper than Castro Valley, CA. This translates to saving $3376 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Castro Valley, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Castro Valley, CA, you'd need approximately $109,487.63 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Castro Valley, CA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 68.4% cheaper than in Castro Valley, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,690/month in Castro Valley, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Castro Valley, CA to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Castro Valley, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3376 per month, or $40512 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Castro Valley, CA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Castro Valley, CA — COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area + state data

Current salary in Castro Valley, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.4K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $109.5K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 45.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,376

Savings

Annual Impact

$40.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Castro Valley, CA

Population:66K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$575K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:55

Median Home:$145K

Castro Valley, CA

The Golden State

66K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 66K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Castro Valley, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Castro Valley, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,921/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $4,050less	68.4%
🚗Transportation	$2,070/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $854less	41.3%
📦Other	$1,798/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $191less	10.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,135/mo	$949/mo	↓ $186less	16.4%
🏥Healthcare	$692/mo	$527/mo	↓ $165less	23.9%
⚡All Utilities	$439/mo	$535/mo	↑ $96.73more	22.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 68.4%

Castro Valley, CA

$5,921

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$4,050

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 41.3%

Castro Valley, CA

$2,070

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$854

less

📦Other

↓ 10.6%

Castro Valley, CA

$1,798

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$191

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 16.4%

Castro Valley, CA

$1,135

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$186

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.9%

Castro Valley, CA

$692

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$165

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 22.0%

Castro Valley, CA

$439

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$96.73

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Castro Valley, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,793

To$910

↓ $883

1 Bed

From$2,119

To$950

↓ $1,169

2 Bed

From$2,690

To$1,160

↓ $1,530

3 Bed

From$3,912

To$1,490

↓ $2,422

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$12,054

Monthly in Castro Valley, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$5,349

Difference

Home Values

Castro Valley

St. Louis

Median Value

$145K

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$225

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Castro Valley, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Castro Valley, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.