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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Pomona

California
143

St. Louis is 54% cheaper than Pomona.

$978/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,738/mo ↑ 78%
$55,279/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$78,869/yr ↑ 43%
$185,100 ↓ 68%
Home Value
$569,600 ↑ 208%
$1,013/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$1,758/mo ↑ 74%
293,109
Population
148,391

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
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Pomona, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 143 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $760/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,120/year.

Median household income is $23,590/year higher in Pomona. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $569,600 in Pomona.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Pomona — common questions

Is St. Louis or Pomona cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 143 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Pomona?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Pomona it's $1,738/month — a difference of $760/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Pomona?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $78,869 in Pomona. Median household income is $23,590/year higher in Pomona.
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 Pomona?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Pomona has a cost index of 143 with rent of $1,738/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Pomona details →

More Comparisons

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