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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

St. Louis is 39% cheaper than San Bernardino.

$978/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↑ 47%
$55,279/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↑ 16%
$185,100 ↓ 52%
Home Value
$384,900 ↑ 108%
$1,013/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↑ 46%
293,109
Population
221,774

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
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $455/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,460/year.

Median household income is $8,709/year higher in San Bernardino. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs San Bernardino — common questions

Is St. Louis or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and San Bernardino?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $455/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $8,709/year higher in San Bernardino.
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 San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View San Bernardino details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and San Bernardino

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