Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Imperial Beach, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 36.3% cheaper than Imperial Beach, CA. This translates to saving $2722 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Imperial Beach, CA, you'd need approximately $117,340.286 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Imperial Beach, CA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 58.0% cheaper than in Imperial Beach, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,249/month in Imperial Beach, CA.

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

Moving from Imperial Beach, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $2722 per month, or $32660 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Imperial Beach, CA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Imperial Beach, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chula Vista, CA area

Current salary in Imperial Beach, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $117.3K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 36.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,722

Savings

Annual Impact

$32.7K

Per year

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

Imperial Beach, CA

Population:25K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$823K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:64

Median Home:$145K

Imperial Beach, CA

The Golden State

25K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 25K 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: Imperial Beach, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Imperial Beach, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,458/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $2,587less	58.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,490/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $274less	18.4%
📦Other	$1,794/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $187less	10.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,051/mo	$949/mo	↓ $102less	9.7%
🏥Healthcare	$621/mo	$527/mo	↓ $94.80less	15.3%
⚡All Utilities	$617/mo	$535/mo	↓ $81.75less	13.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 58.0%

Imperial Beach, CA

$4,458

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$2,587

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 18.4%

Imperial Beach, CA

$1,490

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$274

less

📦Other

↓ 10.4%

Imperial Beach, CA

$1,794

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$187

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.7%

Imperial Beach, CA

$1,051

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$102

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.3%

Imperial Beach, CA

$621

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$94.80

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.2%

Imperial Beach, CA

$617

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$81.75

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Imperial Beach, 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$1,717

To$910

↓ $807

1 Bed

From$1,846

To$950

↓ $896

2 Bed

From$2,249

To$1,160

↓ $1,089

3 Bed

From$2,998

To$1,490

↓ $1,508

Imperial Beach, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,290–$2,290/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.

$10,031

Monthly in Imperial Beach, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$3,326

Difference

Home Values

Imperial Beach

St. Louis

$823K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +23.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$823K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 82% less expensive than Imperial Beach

Calculate payment - Imperial Beach 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

Imperial Beach, 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

Imperial Beach, 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.