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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fullerton

California
195

St. Louis is 66% cheaper than Fullerton.

$978/mo ↓ 54%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↑ 117%
$55,279/yr ↓ 47%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↑ 89%
$185,100 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$859,600 ↑ 364%
$1,013/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↑ 122%
293,109
Population
141,278

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,146/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $13,752/year.

Median household income is $48,940/year higher in Fullerton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fullerton — common questions

Is St. Louis or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fullerton?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $1,146/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fullerton?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $48,940/year higher in Fullerton.
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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Fullerton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Fullerton

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 Fullerton vs. Waco Fullerton vs. Metairie Fullerton vs. Visalia Fullerton vs. Orange Fullerton vs. Thornton Fullerton vs. Warren