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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Murrieta

California
175

St. Louis is 62% cheaper than Murrieta.

$978/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 138%
$55,279/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 99%
$185,100 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 228%
$1,013/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 135%
293,109
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,352/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $16,224/year.

Median household income is $54,501/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Murrieta — common questions

Is St. Louis or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Murrieta?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $1,352/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Murrieta?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $54,501/year higher in Murrieta.
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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Murrieta details →

More Comparisons

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