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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 45.7% cheaper than Richmond, CA. This translates to saving $3426 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Richmond, CA, you'd need approximately $108,888.9 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 68.8% cheaper than in Richmond, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,997/month in Richmond, CA.

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

Moving from Richmond, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3426 per month, or $41111 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Richmond, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in Richmond, 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 $108.9K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 45.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,426

Savings

Annual Impact

$41.1K

Per year

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

Richmond, CA

Population:114K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:54

Median Home:$145K

Richmond, CA

The Golden State

114K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 114K 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: Richmond, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Richmond, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,993/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $4,122less	68.8%
🚗Transportation	$2,095/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $879less	42.0%
📦Other	$1,820/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $213less	11.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,142/mo	$949/mo	↓ $193less	16.9%
🏥Healthcare	$696/mo	$527/mo	↓ $169less	24.3%
⚡All Utilities	$441/mo	$535/mo	↑ $94.05more	21.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 68.8%

Richmond, CA

$5,993

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$4,122

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 42.0%

Richmond, CA

$2,095

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$879

less

📦Other

↓ 11.7%

Richmond, CA

$1,820

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$213

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 16.9%

Richmond, CA

$1,142

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$193

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 24.3%

Richmond, CA

$696

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$169

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 21.3%

Richmond, CA

$441

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$94.05

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Richmond, 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$1,444

To$910

↓ $534

1 Bed

From$1,642

To$950

↓ $692

2 Bed

From$1,997

To$1,160

↓ $837

3 Bed

From$2,549

To$1,490

↓ $1,059

Richmond, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,990–$2,200/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.

$12,188

Monthly in Richmond, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$5,482

Difference

Home Values

Richmond

St. Louis

$558K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↓ -1.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$503K - $664K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 74% less expensive than Richmond

Calculate payment - Richmond 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

Richmond, 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

Richmond, 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.