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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

St. Louis is 79% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$978/mo ↓ 67%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 205%
$55,279/yr ↓ 68%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 214%
$185,100 ↓ 88%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 725%
$1,013/mo ↓ 67%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 201%
293,109
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,007/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $24,084/year.

Median household income is $118,391/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is St. Louis or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Santa Clara?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $2,007/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $118,391/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Santa Clara

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 Santa Clara vs. Carrollton Santa Clara vs. Fargo Santa Clara vs. New Haven Santa Clara vs. Norman Santa Clara vs. Sterling Heights Santa Clara vs. Lewisville