Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Modesto, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 20.2% cheaper than Modesto, CA. This translates to saving $1514 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Modesto, CA, you'd need approximately $131,834.862 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 39.5% cheaper than in Modesto, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,800/month in Modesto, CA.

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

Moving from Modesto, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1514 per month, or $18165 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Modesto, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.5K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $131.8K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 20.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,514

Savings

Annual Impact

$18.2K

Per year

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

Modesto, CA

Population:218K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$424K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:80

Median Home:$145K

Modesto, CA

The Golden State

218K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 218K 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: Modesto, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Modesto, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,092/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,221less	39.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,475/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $260less	17.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,089/mo	$949/mo	↓ $140less	12.8%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $117less	6.8%
🏥Healthcare	$502/mo	$527/mo	↑ $24.78more	4.9%
⚡All Utilities	$530/mo	$535/mo	↑ $5.46more	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 39.5%

Modesto, CA

$3,092

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,221

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 17.6%

Modesto, CA

$1,475

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$260

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.8%

Modesto, CA

$1,089

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$140

less

📦Other

↓ 6.8%

Modesto, CA

$1,724

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$117

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 4.9%

Modesto, CA

$502

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$24.78

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.0%

Modesto, CA

$530

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$5.46

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Modesto, 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$1,290

To$910

↓ $380

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$950

↓ $440

2 Bed

From$1,800

To$1,160

↓ $640

3 Bed

From$2,500

To$1,490

↓ $1,010

Modesto, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,780/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.

$8,413

Monthly in Modesto, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,708

Difference

Home Values

Modesto

St. Louis

$424K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +26.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$371K - $513K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 66% less expensive than Modesto

Calculate payment - Modesto 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

Modesto, 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

Modesto, 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.