Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Desert Hot Springs, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.1% cheaper than Desert Hot Springs, CA. This translates to saving $1279 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Desert Hot Springs, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Desert Hot Springs, CA, you'd need approximately $134,653.713 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Desert Hot Springs, CA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 28.4% cheaper than in Desert Hot Springs, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,486/month in Desert Hot Springs, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Desert Hot Springs, CA to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Desert Hot Springs, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1279 per month, or $15346 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Desert Hot Springs, CA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Desert Hot Springs, CA — COL adjusted from San Bernardino, CA area + state data

Current salary in Desert Hot Springs, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $134.7K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 17.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,279

Savings

Annual Impact

$15.3K

Per year

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

Desert Hot Springs, CA

Population:33K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$448K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:83

Median Home:$145K

Desert Hot Springs, CA

The Golden State

33K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 33K 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: Desert Hot Springs, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Desert Hot Springs, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$2,096/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $880less	42.0%
🏠Housing	$2,612/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $741less	28.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,024/mo	$949/mo	↓ $74.83less	7.3%
🏥Healthcare	$543/mo	$527/mo	↓ $16.77less	3.1%
📦Other	$1,593/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $13.85more	0.9%
⚡All Utilities	$549/mo	$535/mo	↓ $13.76less	2.5%

🚗Transportation

↓ 42.0%

Desert Hot Springs, CA

$2,096

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$880

less

🏠Housing

↓ 28.4%

Desert Hot Springs, CA

$2,612

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$741

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.3%

Desert Hot Springs, CA

$1,024

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$74.83

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 3.1%

Desert Hot Springs, CA

$543

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$16.77

less

📦Other

↑ 0.9%

Desert Hot Springs, CA

$1,593

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$13.85

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.5%

Desert Hot Springs, CA

$549

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$13.76

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Desert Hot Springs, 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$991

To$910

↓ $81.00

1 Bed

From$1,156

To$950

↓ $206

2 Bed

From$1,486

To$1,160

↓ $326

3 Bed

From$2,064

To$1,490

↓ $574

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.

$8,418

Monthly in Desert Hot Springs, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,713

Difference

Home Values

Desert Hot Springs

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

Desert Hot Springs, 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

Desert Hot Springs, 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.