Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Fair Oaks, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 20.9% cheaper than Fair Oaks, CA. This translates to saving $1565 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Fair Oaks, CA, you'd need approximately $131,225.229 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fair Oaks, CA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 39.6% cheaper than in Fair Oaks, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,478/month in Fair Oaks, CA.

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

Moving from Fair Oaks, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1565 per month, or $18775 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fair Oaks, CA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fair Oaks, CA — COL adjusted from Sacramento, CA area + state data

Current salary in Fair Oaks, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.6K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $131.2K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 20.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,565

Savings

Annual Impact

$18.8K

Per year

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

Fair Oaks, CA

Population:33K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$460K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:79

Median Home:$145K

Fair Oaks, 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: Fair Oaks, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Fair Oaks, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,099/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,228less	39.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,335/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $119less	8.9%
📦Other	$1,699/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $91.68less	5.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,027/mo	$949/mo	↓ $77.43less	7.5%
🏥Healthcare	$601/mo	$527/mo	↓ $73.93less	12.3%
⚡All Utilities	$514/mo	$535/mo	↑ $21.72more	4.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 39.6%

Fair Oaks, CA

$3,099

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,228

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.9%

Fair Oaks, CA

$1,335

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$119

less

📦Other

↓ 5.4%

Fair Oaks, CA

$1,699

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$91.68

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.5%

Fair Oaks, CA

$1,027

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$77.43

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.3%

Fair Oaks, CA

$601

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$73.93

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 4.2%

Fair Oaks, CA

$514

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$21.72

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Fair Oaks, 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$998

To$910

↓ $88.00

1 Bed

From$1,158

To$950

↓ $208

2 Bed

From$1,478

To$1,160

↓ $318

3 Bed

From$2,077

To$1,490

↓ $587

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.

$8,273

Monthly in Fair Oaks, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,568

Difference

Home Values

Fair Oaks

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

Fair Oaks, 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

Fair Oaks, 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.