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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 45.8% cheaper than Pasadena, CA. This translates to saving $3437 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Pasadena, CA, you'd need approximately $108,753.571 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 71.1% cheaper than in Pasadena, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,438/month in Pasadena, CA.

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

Moving from Pasadena, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3437 per month, or $41246 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Pasadena, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Los Angeles, CA area

Current salary in Pasadena, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.4K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $108.8K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 45.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,437

Savings

Annual Impact

$41.2K

Per year

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

Pasadena, CA

Population:134K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.12M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:54

Median Home:$145K

Pasadena, CA

The Golden State

134K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 134K 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: Pasadena, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Pasadena, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,463/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $4,592less	71.1%
🚗Transportation	$2,000/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $784less	39.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,001/mo	$949/mo	↓ $52.10less	5.2%
🏥Healthcare	$533/mo	$527/mo	↓ $6.59less	1.2%
📦Other	$1,604/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $2.94more	0.2%
⚡All Utilities	$537/mo	$535/mo	↓ $1.05less	0.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 71.1%

Pasadena, CA

$6,463

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$4,592

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 39.2%

Pasadena, CA

$2,000

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$784

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.2%

Pasadena, CA

$1,001

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$52.10

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 1.2%

Pasadena, CA

$533

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$6.59

less

📦Other

↑ 0.2%

Pasadena, CA

$1,604

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$2.94

⚡All Utilities

↓ 0.2%

Pasadena, CA

$537

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$1.05

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Pasadena, 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$1,745

To$910

↓ $835

1 Bed

From$1,954

To$950

↓ $1,004

2 Bed

From$2,438

To$1,160

↓ $1,278

3 Bed

From$3,092

To$1,490

↓ $1,602

Pasadena, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,010–$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.

$12,139

Monthly in Pasadena, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$5,434

Difference

Home Values

Pasadena

St. Louis

$1.12M

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +27.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$777K - $1.77M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 87% less expensive than Pasadena

Calculate payment - Pasadena 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

Pasadena, 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

Pasadena, 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.