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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Simi Valley

California
200

St. Louis is 67% cheaper than Simi Valley.

$978/mo ↓ 61%
Median Rent
$2,513/mo ↑ 157%
$55,279/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$117,703/yr ↑ 113%
$185,100 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$753,500 ↑ 307%
$1,013/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,576/mo ↑ 154%
293,109
Population
125,769

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Simi Valley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,535/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $18,420/year.

Median household income is $62,424/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $753,500 in Simi Valley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Simi Valley — common questions

Is St. Louis or Simi Valley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Simi Valley?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Simi Valley it's $2,513/month — a difference of $1,535/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Simi Valley?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $117,703 in Simi Valley. Median household income is $62,424/year higher in Simi Valley.
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 Simi Valley?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,513/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Simi Valley details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Simi Valley

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 Simi Valley vs. Pearland Simi Valley vs. Thousand Oaks Simi Valley vs. Topeka Simi Valley vs. Allentown Simi Valley vs. Athens Simi Valley vs. Palm Bay