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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

St. Louis is 62% cheaper than Garden Grove.

$978/mo ↓ 50%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↑ 102%
$55,279/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↑ 63%
$185,100 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$765,500 ↑ 314%
$1,013/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↑ 99%
293,109
Population
170,603

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
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $993/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $11,916/year.

Median household income is $34,887/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is St. Louis or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Garden Grove?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $993/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $34,887/year higher in Garden Grove.
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 Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with rent of $1,971/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Garden Grove

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 Garden Grove vs. Clarksville Garden Grove vs. Pembroke Pines Garden Grove vs. Oceanside Garden Grove vs. Lancaster Garden Grove vs. Rancho Cucamonga Garden Grove vs. Fort Collins