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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 41.3% cheaper than Fountain Valley, CA. This translates to saving $3098 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Fountain Valley, CA, you'd need approximately $112,818.614 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 64.0% cheaper than in Fountain Valley, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,815/month in Fountain Valley, CA.

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

Moving from Fountain Valley, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3098 per month, or $37181 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fountain Valley, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Santa Ana, CA area

Current salary in Fountain Valley, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.1K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $112.8K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 41.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,098

Savings

Annual Impact

$37.2K

Per year

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

Fountain Valley, CA

Population:55K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.33M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:59

Median Home:$145K

Fountain Valley, CA

The Golden State

55K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 55K 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: Fountain Valley, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Fountain Valley, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,201/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $3,330less	64.0%
🚗Transportation	$2,078/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $862less	41.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,020/mo	$949/mo	↓ $70.32less	6.9%
📦Other	$1,660/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $52.73less	3.2%
🏥Healthcare	$541/mo	$527/mo	↓ $14.38less	2.7%
⚡All Utilities	$547/mo	$535/mo	↓ $11.34less	2.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 64.0%

Fountain Valley, CA

$5,201

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$3,330

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 41.5%

Fountain Valley, CA

$2,078

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$862

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.9%

Fountain Valley, CA

$1,020

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$70.32

less

📦Other

↓ 3.2%

Fountain Valley, CA

$1,660

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$52.73

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 2.7%

Fountain Valley, CA

$541

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$14.38

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.1%

Fountain Valley, CA

$547

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$11.34

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Fountain 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$2,332

To$910

↓ $1,422

1 Bed

From$2,389

To$950

↓ $1,439

2 Bed

From$2,815

To$1,160

↓ $1,655

3 Bed

From$3,821

To$1,490

↓ $2,331

Fountain Valley, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,920–$2,920/mo

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.

$11,046

Monthly in Fountain Valley, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$4,340

Difference

Home Values

Fountain Valley

St. Louis

$1.33M

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +55%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$1.33M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 89% less expensive than Fountain Valley

Calculate payment - Fountain Valley 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

Fountain 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

Fountain 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.