Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Los Altos, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 47.1% cheaper than Los Altos, CA. This translates to saving $3531 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Los Altos, CA, you'd need approximately $107,632.674 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Los Altos, CA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 71.5% cheaper than in Los Altos, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,465/month in Los Altos, CA.

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

Moving from Los Altos, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3531 per month, or $42367 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Los Altos, CA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Los Altos, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area

Current salary in Los Altos, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.5K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $107.6K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 47.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,531

Savings

Annual Impact

$42.4K

Per year

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

Los Altos, CA

Population:30K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$4.69M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:53

Median Home:$145K

Los Altos, CA

The Golden State

30K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 30K 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: Los Altos, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Los Altos, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,572/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $4,701less	71.5%
🏥Healthcare	$690/mo	$527/mo	↓ $164less	23.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,104/mo	$949/mo	↓ $155less	14.0%
📦Other	$1,744/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $137less	7.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,345/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $129less	9.6%
⚡All Utilities	$454/mo	$535/mo	↑ $81.44more	17.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 71.5%

Los Altos, CA

$6,572

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$4,701

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.7%

Los Altos, CA

$690

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$164

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.0%

Los Altos, CA

$1,104

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$155

less

📦Other

↓ 7.8%

Los Altos, CA

$1,744

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$137

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 9.6%

Los Altos, CA

$1,345

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$129

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 17.9%

Los Altos, CA

$454

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$81.44

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Los Altos, 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$2,608

To$910

↓ $1,698

1 Bed

From$2,945

To$950

↓ $1,995

2 Bed

From$3,465

To$1,160

↓ $2,305

3 Bed

From$4,565

To$1,490

↓ $3,075

Los Altos, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,540–$3,710/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.

$11,909

Monthly in Los Altos, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$5,203

Difference

Home Values

Los Altos

St. Louis

$4.69M

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +35.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$4.48M - $4.90M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 97% less expensive than Los Altos

Calculate payment - Los Altos 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

Los Altos, 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

Los Altos, 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.