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

Cost of Living: San Francisco, 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.

39.2% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
64.8% 64.8% cheaper housing
16.5% 16.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 64.8% cheaper
San Francisco
210
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 16.5% cheaper
San Francisco
115
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 21.9% cheaper
San Francisco
128
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 18.6% cheaper
San Francisco
118
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 5.6% cheaper
San Francisco
108
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1489039.2% less
Housing2107464.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,00066.7% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$185,00085.2% less
Groceries1159616.5% less
Transportation12810021.9% less
Healthcare1189618.6% less
Utilities1081025.6% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
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 Francisco 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 Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 64.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $2,000 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco 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 Francisco to St. Louis?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 Francisco vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $1,065,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Missouri averages 0.88%.