Median rent is 48% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, St. Louis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 114.7 — about 17% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Cost of living verdict
St. Louis is 17% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.0 in St. Louis vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$62,074
You could earn $12,926 less (17% 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
Los Angeles
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 $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 48% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $197,500 in St. Louis — 79% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
St. Louis
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 33.0 AQI (Good) 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 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($997/mo median).
St. Louis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 17% lower in St. Louis.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 48%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $82,766 in St. Louis, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
