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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 49.8% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA. This translates to saving $3735 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA, you'd need approximately $105,181.766 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 75.9% cheaper than in Los Angeles, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA.

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

Moving from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3735 per month, or $44818 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Los Angeles, CA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Los Angeles, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.7K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $105.2K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 49.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,735

Savings

Annual Impact

$44.8K

Per year

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

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$885K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:50

Median Home:$145K

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

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 Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Los Angeles, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,749/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $5,878less	75.9%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $943less	43.7%
📦Other	$1,731/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $124less	7.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,040/mo	$949/mo	↓ $90.93less	8.7%
🏥Healthcare	$554/mo	$527/mo	↓ $27.26less	4.9%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$535/mo	↓ $21.86less	3.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 75.9%

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$5,878

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 43.7%

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$943

less

📦Other

↓ 7.2%

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$124

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.7%

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$90.93

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.9%

Los Angeles, CA

$554

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$27.26

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.9%

Los Angeles, CA

$557

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$21.86

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Los Angeles, 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$1,910

To$910

↓ $1,000

1 Bed

From$2,135

To$950

↓ $1,185

2 Bed

From$2,660

To$1,160

↓ $1,500

3 Bed

From$3,370

To$1,490

↓ $1,880

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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.

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$7,085

Difference

Home Values

Los Angeles

St. Louis

$885K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -3.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +13.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$531K - $3.01M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 84% less expensive than Los Angeles

Calculate payment - Los Angeles 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 Angeles, 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 Angeles, 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.