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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fairfield

California
167

St. Louis is 60% cheaper than Fairfield.

$978/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 124%
$55,279/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 85%
$185,100 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 220%
$1,013/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 120%
293,109
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,213/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $14,556/year.

Median household income is $47,042/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fairfield — common questions

Is St. Louis or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fairfield?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,213/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fairfield?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $47,042/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Fairfield

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill