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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 39.6% cheaper than San Diego, CA. This translates to saving $2969 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Diego, CA, you'd need approximately $114,375 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 64.2% cheaper than in San Diego, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,360/month in San Diego, CA.

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

Moving from San Diego, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $2969 per month, or $35625 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

San Diego, CA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Diego, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.0K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $114.4K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 39.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,969

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.6K

Per year

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

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$980K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:60

Median Home:$145K

San Diego, CA

The Golden State

1.4M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Year-round perfect weather
•Major military presence
•Biotech hub

Major Industries

MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnology

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 Diego, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	San Diego, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,223/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $3,352less	64.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,571/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $355less	22.6%
📦Other	$1,892/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $285less	15.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$949/mo	↓ $130less	12.0%
🏥Healthcare	$638/mo	$527/mo	↓ $112less	17.5%
⚡All Utilities	$634/mo	$535/mo	↓ $98.36less	15.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 64.2%

San Diego, CA

$5,223

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$3,352

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 22.6%

San Diego, CA

$1,571

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$355

less

📦Other

↓ 15.0%

San Diego, CA

$1,892

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$285

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

San Diego, CA

$1,079

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$130

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 17.5%

San Diego, CA

$638

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$112

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 15.5%

San Diego, CA

$634

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$98.36

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Diego, 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$2,565

To$910

↓ $1,655

1 Bed

From$2,755

To$950

↓ $1,805

2 Bed

From$3,360

To$1,160

↓ $2,200

3 Bed

From$4,475

To$1,490

↓ $2,985

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/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.

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$4,332

Difference

Home Values

San Diego

St. Louis

$980K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +37.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$598K - $2.01M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 85% less expensive than San Diego

Calculate payment - San Diego 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 Diego, 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 Diego, 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.