Home › Compare › San Diego, CA vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: San Diego, 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.

31.8% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
56.0% 56.0% cheaper housing
11.1% 11.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 56.0% cheaper
San Diego
168
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 11.1% cheaper
San Diego
108
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 15.3% cheaper
San Diego
118
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 14.3% cheaper
San Diego
112
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Diego
104
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Diego, CA St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1329031.8% less
Housing1687456.0% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,300$1,00056.5% less
Median Home Price$820,000$185,00077.4% less
Groceries1089611.1% less
Transportation11810015.3% less
Healthcare1129614.3% less
Utilities104102~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Diego, 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

San Diego, CA
$89,000
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 San Diego lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Diego (132) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Diego4.0%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Diego2.9%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Diego25 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
San Diego51
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
San Diego45
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
San Diego64°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
San Diego1,381,611
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Diego 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

San Diego vs Austin → San Diego vs Denver → San Diego vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego 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 56.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Diego vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,300/month in San Diego and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $1,300 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Diego 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 San Diego to St. Louis?+
Median household income in San Diego is $89,000 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 San Diego vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in San Diego is $820,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $635,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Missouri averages 0.88%.