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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 55.8% cheaper than San Francisco, CA. This translates to saving $4188 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Francisco, CA, you'd need approximately $99,746.193 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 80.9% cheaper than in San Francisco, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA.

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

Moving from San Francisco, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $4188 per month, or $50254 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

San Francisco, CA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Francisco, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $4.2K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $99.7K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 55.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,188

Savings

Annual Impact

$50.3K

Per year

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

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.25M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:44

Median Home:$145K

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

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 Francisco, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	San Francisco, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$9,771/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $7,900less	80.9%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $943less	43.7%
📦Other	$1,875/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $268less	14.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,159/mo	$949/mo	↓ $210less	18.1%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$527/mo	↓ $180less	25.4%
⚡All Utilities	$448/mo	$535/mo	↑ $87.43more	19.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 80.9%

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$7,900

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 43.7%

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$943

less

📦Other

↓ 14.3%

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$268

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 18.1%

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$210

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.4%

San Francisco, CA

$706

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$180

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.5%

San Francisco, CA

$448

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$87.43

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Francisco, 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$2,460

To$910

↓ $1,550

1 Bed

From$2,950

To$950

↓ $2,000

2 Bed

From$3,570

To$1,160

↓ $2,410

3 Bed

From$4,560

To$1,490

↓ $3,070

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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.

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$9,413

Difference

Home Values

San Francisco

St. Louis

$1.25M

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↓ -7.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$693K - $2.12M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 88% less expensive than San Francisco

Calculate payment - San Francisco 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, 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.