Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Santa Clara, CA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 49.4% cheaper than Santa Clara, CA. This translates to saving $3706 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Clara, CA, you'd need approximately $105,523.256 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 75.5% cheaper than in Santa Clara, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,960/month in Santa Clara, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Clara, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3706 per month, or $44477 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Santa Clara, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area

Current salary in Santa Clara, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.7K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $105.5K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 49.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,706

Savings

Annual Impact

$44.5K

Per year

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

Santa Clara, CA

Population:131K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.60M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:51

Median Home:$145K

Santa Clara, CA

The Golden State

131K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 131K 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: Santa Clara, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Santa Clara, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,640/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $5,769less	75.5%
📦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

↓ 75.5%

Santa Clara, CA

$7,640

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$5,769

less

📦Other

↓ 11.9%

Santa Clara, CA

$1,825

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$218

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.6%

Santa Clara, CA

$1,407

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$191

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 15.9%

Santa Clara, CA

$1,129

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$180

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.4%

Santa Clara, CA

$706

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$180

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 15.3%

Santa Clara, CA

$464

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$71.03

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Santa Clara, 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$2,980

To$910

↓ $2,070

1 Bed

From$3,390

To$950

↓ $2,440

2 Bed

From$3,960

To$1,160

↓ $2,800

3 Bed

From$5,230

To$1,490

↓ $3,740

Santa Clara, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,860–$3,790/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.

$13,172

Monthly in Santa Clara, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$6,467

Difference

Home Values

Santa Clara

St. Louis

$1.60M

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +30.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$1.49M - $1.86M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 91% less expensive than Santa Clara

Calculate payment - Santa Clara 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

Santa Clara, 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

Santa Clara, 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.