Home › Compare › Sacramento, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Sacramento, 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.

23.7% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
47.9% 47.9% cheaper housing
7.7% 7.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 47.9% cheaper
Sacramento
142
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 7.7% cheaper
Sacramento
104
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 10.7% cheaper
Sacramento
112
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 11.1% cheaper
Sacramento
108
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Sacramento
100
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Sacramento, CA St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1189023.7% less
Housing1427447.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,650$1,00039.4% less
Median Home Price$450,000$185,00058.9% less
Groceries104967.7% less
Transportation11210010.7% less
Healthcare1089611.1% less
Utilities100102~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Sacramento, 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

Sacramento, CA
$78,000
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 Sacramento lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Sacramento (118) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Sacramento4.2%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Sacramento2.7%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Sacramento27 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Sacramento44
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Sacramento50
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Sacramento61°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Sacramento524,943
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Sacramento 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

Sacramento vs Austin → Sacramento vs Denver → Sacramento vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento 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 47.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Sacramento vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,650/month in Sacramento and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $650 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Sacramento 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 Sacramento to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Sacramento is $78,000 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 Sacramento vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Sacramento is $450,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $265,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Missouri averages 0.88%.