Home › Compare › Los Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Los Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MO

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

33.8% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
58.4% 58.4% cheaper housing
12.7% 12.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 58.4% cheaper
Los Angeles
178
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 12.7% cheaper
Los Angeles
110
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 20.0% cheaper
Los Angeles
125
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 14.3% cheaper
Los Angeles
112
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 2.9% cheaper
Los Angeles
105
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Los Angeles, CA St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1369033.8% less
Housing1787458.4% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,500$1,00060.0% less
Median Home Price$880,000$185,00079.0% less
Groceries1109612.7% less
Transportation12510020.0% less
Healthcare1129614.3% less
Utilities1051022.9% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Los Angeles, CA St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax13.30% (top)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Los Angeles, CA
$95,000
Median household income
St. Louis, MO
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: St. Louis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in St. Louis to maintain your Los Angeles lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Los Angeles (136) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles5.4%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Los Angeles2.5%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
Los AngelesEntertainment, Tech, Healthcare
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Los Angeles33 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Los Angeles67
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Los Angeles62
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Los Angeles66°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Los Angeles3,898,747
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Los Angeles and St. Louis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in St. Louis →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles or St. Louis cheaper to live in?+
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 58.4%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,500/month in Los Angeles and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $1,500 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Los Angeles or St. Louis?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Missouri has a state income tax of 4.80% (top) and sales tax of 4.23%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Los Angeles to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Los Angeles is $95,000 compared to $52,000 in St. Louis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Los Angeles vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Los Angeles is $880,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $695,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Missouri averages 0.88%.