Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

St. Louis is 51% cheaper than East Los Angeles.

$978/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↑ 46%
$55,279/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↑ 24%
$185,100 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 231%
$1,013/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↑ 44%
293,109
Population
114,617

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $453/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,436/year.

Median household income is $13,099/year higher in East Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is St. Louis or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $453/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $13,099/year higher in East Los Angeles.
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 East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

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