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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Ventura

California
183

St. Louis is 64% cheaper than Ventura.

$978/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$2,101/mo ↑ 115%
$55,279/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$100,407/yr ↑ 82%
$185,100 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$778,700 ↑ 321%
$1,013/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$2,118/mo ↑ 109%
293,109
Population
109,900

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Ventura, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 183 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,123/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $13,476/year.

Median household income is $45,128/year higher in Ventura. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $778,700 in Ventura.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Ventura — common questions

Is St. Louis or Ventura cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 183 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Ventura?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Ventura it's $2,101/month — a difference of $1,123/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Ventura?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $100,407 in Ventura. Median household income is $45,128/year higher in Ventura.
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 Ventura?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Ventura has a cost index of 183 with rent of $2,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Ventura details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Ventura

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