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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Palmdale

California
130

St. Louis is 49% cheaper than Palmdale.

$978/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 78%
$55,279/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 47%
$185,100 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 135%
$1,013/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 81%
293,109
Population
165,487

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $758/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,096/year.

Median household income is $25,872/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Palmdale — common questions

Is St. Louis or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Palmdale?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $758/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Palmdale?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $25,872/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Palmdale

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