Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than San Bernardino, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 25.6% cheaper than San Bernardino, CA. This translates to saving $1923 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Bernardino, CA, you'd need approximately $126,923.077 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 46.7% cheaper than in San Bernardino, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,080/month in San Bernardino, CA.

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

Moving from San Bernardino, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1923 per month, or $23077 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Bernardino, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.9K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $126.9K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 25.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,923

Savings

Annual Impact

$23.1K

Per year

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

San Bernardino, CA

Population:222K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$448K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:74

Median Home:$145K

San Bernardino, CA

The Golden State

222K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 222K 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: San Bernardino, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	San Bernardino, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,508/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,637less	46.7%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $943less	43.7%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $117less	6.8%
🛒Groceries	$1,039/mo	$949/mo	↓ $89.93less	8.7%
🏥Healthcare	$551/mo	$527/mo	↓ $24.78less	4.5%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$535/mo	↓ $21.86less	3.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 46.7%

San Bernardino, CA

$3,508

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,637

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 43.7%

San Bernardino, CA

$2,158

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$943

less

📦Other

↓ 6.8%

San Bernardino, CA

$1,724

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$117

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.7%

San Bernardino, CA

$1,039

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$89.93

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.5%

San Bernardino, CA

$551

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$24.78

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.9%

San Bernardino, 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%)

San Bernardino, 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$1,600

To$910

↓ $690

1 Bed

From$1,670

To$950

↓ $720

2 Bed

From$2,080

To$1,160

↓ $920

3 Bed

From$2,780

To$1,490

↓ $1,290

San Bernardino, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,670–$1,910/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.

$9,539

Monthly in San Bernardino, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$2,833

Difference

Home Values

San Bernardino

St. Louis

$448K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +39%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$374K - $530K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 68% less expensive than San Bernardino

Calculate payment - San Bernardino 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

San Bernardino, 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

San Bernardino, 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.