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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Ontario

California
152

St. Louis is 57% cheaper than Ontario.

$978/mo ↓ 49%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 96%
$55,279/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 50%
$185,100 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 207%
$1,013/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 94%
293,109
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $938/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $11,256/year.

Median household income is $27,527/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Ontario — common questions

Is St. Louis or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Ontario?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $938/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Ontario?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $27,527/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Ontario

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 Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa