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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 56.7% cheaper than San Jose, CA. This translates to saving $4254 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Jose, CA, you'd need approximately $98,955.224 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 80.6% cheaper than in San Jose, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,445/month in San Jose, CA.

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

Moving from San Jose, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $4254 per month, or $51045 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

San Jose, CA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Jose, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $4.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $99.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 56.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,254

Savings

Annual Impact

$51.0K

Per year

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

San Jose, CA

Population:1013K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.35M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:43

Median Home:$145K

San Jose, CA

The Golden State

1.0M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 1.0M 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 Jose, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	San Jose, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$9,667/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $7,796less	80.6%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $218less	11.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,407/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $191less	13.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,129/mo	$949/mo	↓ $180less	15.9%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$527/mo	↓ $180less	25.4%
⚡All Utilities	$464/mo	$535/mo	↑ $71.03more	15.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 80.6%

San Jose, CA

$9,667

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$7,796

less

📦Other

↓ 11.9%

San Jose, CA

$1,825

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$218

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.6%

San Jose, CA

$1,407

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$191

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 15.9%

San Jose, CA

$1,129

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$180

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.4%

San Jose, CA

$706

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$180

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 15.3%

San Jose, CA

$464

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$71.03

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Jose, 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$2,590

To$910

↓ $1,680

1 Bed

From$2,950

To$950

↓ $2,000

2 Bed

From$3,445

To$1,160

↓ $2,285

3 Bed

From$4,550

To$1,490

↓ $3,060

San Jose, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,190–$4,060/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.

$15,199

Monthly in San Jose, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$8,494

Difference

Home Values

San Jose

St. Louis

$1.35M

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +35.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$671K - $2.59M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 89% less expensive than San Jose

Calculate payment - San Jose 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 Jose, 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 Jose, 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.