Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Berkeley

California
251

St. Louis is 74% cheaper than Berkeley.

$978/mo ↓ 54%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 117%
$55,279/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 96%
$185,100 ↓ 86%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 630%
$1,013/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 131%
293,109
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,149/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $13,788/year.

Median household income is $53,279/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Berkeley — common questions

Is St. Louis or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Berkeley?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $1,149/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Berkeley?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $53,279/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and California?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Berkeley details →

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