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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fremont

California
278

St. Louis is 76% cheaper than Fremont.

$978/mo ↓ 66%
Median Rent
$2,905/mo ↑ 197%
$55,279/yr ↓ 69%
Median Income
$176,350/yr ↑ 219%
$185,100 ↓ 86%
Home Value
$1,289,400 ↑ 597%
$1,013/mo ↓ 66%
Owner Costs
$3,000/mo ↑ 196%
293,109
Population
228,518

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
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fremont, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 278 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,927/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $23,124/year.

Median household income is $121,071/year higher in Fremont. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $1,289,400 in Fremont.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fremont — common questions

Is St. Louis or Fremont cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 278 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fremont?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fremont it's $2,905/month — a difference of $1,927/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fremont?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $176,350 in Fremont. Median household income is $121,071/year higher in Fremont.
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 Fremont?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Fremont has a cost index of 278 with rent of $2,905/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Fremont details →

More Comparisons

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