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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Huntington Beach

California
227

St. Louis is 71% cheaper than Huntington Beach.

$978/mo ↓ 60%
Median Rent
$2,424/mo ↑ 148%
$55,279/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$119,885/yr ↑ 117%
$185,100 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$1,047,300 ↑ 466%
$1,013/mo ↓ 58%
Owner Costs
$2,436/mo ↑ 140%
293,109
Population
196,010

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Huntington Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 227 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,446/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $17,352/year.

Median household income is $64,606/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $1,047,300 in Huntington Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Huntington Beach — common questions

Is St. Louis or Huntington Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Huntington Beach?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Huntington Beach it's $2,424/month — a difference of $1,446/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Huntington Beach?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $119,885 in Huntington Beach. Median household income is $64,606/year higher in Huntington Beach.
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 Huntington Beach?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with rent of $2,424/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Huntington Beach details →

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