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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

St. Louis is 81% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$978/mo ↓ 68%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 213%
$55,279/yr ↓ 70%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 229%
$185,100 ↓ 90%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 881%
$1,013/mo ↓ 66%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 198%
293,109
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,087/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $25,044/year.

Median household income is $126,583/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is St. Louis or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $2,087/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $126,583/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Sunnyvale details →

More Comparisons

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