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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fontana

California
146

St. Louis is 55% cheaper than Fontana.

$978/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,733/mo ↑ 77%
$55,279/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$98,187/yr ↑ 78%
$185,100 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$558,500 ↑ 202%
$1,013/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$1,990/mo ↑ 96%
293,109
Population
211,921

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
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fontana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 146 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $755/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,060/year.

Median household income is $42,908/year higher in Fontana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $558,500 in Fontana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fontana — common questions

Is St. Louis or Fontana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 146 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fontana?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fontana it's $1,733/month — a difference of $755/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fontana?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $98,187 in Fontana. Median household income is $42,908/year higher in Fontana.
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 Fontana?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Fontana has a cost index of 146 with rent of $1,733/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Fontana details →

More Comparisons

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