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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Modesto

California
120

St. Louis is 45% cheaper than Modesto.

$978/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↑ 65%
$55,279/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↑ 41%
$185,100 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$415,600 ↑ 125%
$1,013/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↑ 59%
293,109
Population
218,614

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
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $631/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $7,572/year.

Median household income is $22,620/year higher in Modesto. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Modesto — common questions

Is St. Louis or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Modesto?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $631/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Modesto?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $22,620/year higher in Modesto.
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 Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Modesto details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Modesto

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 Modesto vs. Huntsville Modesto vs. Des Moines Modesto vs. Spring Valley Modesto vs. Fontana Modesto vs. Port St. Lucie Modesto vs. Moreno Valley