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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 53.8% cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA. This translates to saving $4036 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Cruz, CA, you'd need approximately $101,572.108 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 77.0% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,823/month in Santa Cruz, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Cruz, CA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $4036 per month, or $48428 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Santa Cruz, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from San Jose, CA area

Current salary in Santa Cruz, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $4.0K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $101.6K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 53.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,036

Savings

Annual Impact

$48.4K

Per year

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

Santa Cruz, CA

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.24M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:46

Median Home:$145K

Santa Cruz, CA

The Golden State

62K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 62K 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 Cruz, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Santa Cruz, CA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$8,153/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $6,282less	77.0%
🏥Healthcare	$684/mo	$527/mo	↓ $157less	23.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,093/mo	$949/mo	↓ $144less	13.2%
📦Other	$1,710/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $103less	6.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,318/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $103less	7.8%
⚡All Utilities	$450/mo	$535/mo	↑ $85.89more	19.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 77.0%

Santa Cruz, CA

$8,153

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$6,282

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.0%

Santa Cruz, CA

$684

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$157

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,093

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$144

less

📦Other

↓ 6.0%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,710

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$103

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.8%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,318

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$103

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.1%

Santa Cruz, CA

$450

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$85.89

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Santa Cruz, 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$2,883

To$910

↓ $1,973

1 Bed

From$2,995

To$950

↓ $2,045

2 Bed

From$3,823

To$1,160

↓ $2,663

3 Bed

From$4,875

To$1,490

↓ $3,385

Santa Cruz, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,900–$3,870/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.

$13,407

Monthly in Santa Cruz, CA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$6,702

Difference

Home Values

Santa Cruz

St. Louis

$1.24M

Median Value

$145K

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +25.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$648K - $1.27M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 88% less expensive than Santa Cruz

Calculate payment - Santa Cruz 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 Cruz, 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 Cruz, 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.