Median rent is 55% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $2,229/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $758,700. Households earn more in Chula Vista ($108,032 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, St. Louis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 110.7 — about 14% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chula Vista, CA.
Cost of living verdict
St. Louis is 14% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.0 in St. Louis vs 110.7 in Chula Vista (US national average = 100)
City A
Chula Vista, CA
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Chula Vista, CA?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$64,321
You could earn $10,679 less (14% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chula Vista
California
St. Louis
Missouri
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Louis — median rent of $997/mo versus $2,229/mo in Chula Vista, a 55% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chula Vista: the median home is $758,700 versus $197,500 in St. Louis — 74% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chula Vista
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 57.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.0 vs 110.7).
Pick Chula Vista if you prioritize higher median household income ($108,032/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($997/mo median).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Chula Vista cheaper than St. Louis?
St. Louis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 110.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 14% lower in St. Louis.
How much is rent in Chula Vista vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $2,229/mo in Chula Vista, CA and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 55%.
Which has higher salaries — Chula Vista or St. Louis?
Median household income is $108,032 in Chula Vista, CA and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Chula Vista, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
St. Louis, MO has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 57.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chula Vista or St. Louis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Chula Vista income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chula Vista, CA is equivalent to roughly $85,761 in St. Louis, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
