Riverside vs St. Louis: cost of living compared
St. Louis is 25% cheaper than Riverside overall. State income tax tops out around 4.95% in MO vs 9.3% in CA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Riverside and St. Louis presents a substantial shift in overall cost of living. Riverside is considerably more expensive than the national average, while St. Louis offers a notably more affordable lifestyle. The most significant factor driving this difference is the cost of housing, which is dramatically higher in Riverside, but nearly every other spending category also contributes to the overall gap.
Housing
Housing costs represent a major divergence between these two metros. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in Riverside compared to St. Louis. The median home price in Riverside is significantly higher, and monthly rental costs for a one-bedroom unit also show a considerable difference. St. Louis generally features more historic and established housing stock, while Riverside offers a mix of newer developments and older homes.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably higher in Riverside than in St. Louis. Commute times are also generally longer in Riverside. Furthermore, Missouri's state income tax rate is considerably lower than California's, which can lead to a meaningful difference in take-home pay, impacting discretionary spending and overall household budgets.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Riverside offers a warm, dry climate typical of Southern California, with abundant sunshine and proximity to mountains and coastal areas, though it is inland. St. Louis experiences a four-season climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters, and is situated along a major river. Getting around in Riverside often involves more driving and longer commutes, while St. Louis typically has shorter average travel times and a more established public transit system.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are clear: St. Louis offers a much more budget-friendly environment across nearly all spending categories, especially housing. While Riverside provides access to a distinct climate and regional amenities, the cost of living, from home prices and rents to daily expenses and state income taxes, is consistently and significantly higher, requiring a much larger household income to maintain a comparable lifestyle.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 88 |
| Housing index | 134 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 95 |
| Food index | 105 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 122 | 95 |
| Misc index | 102 | 88 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,850/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 34 min | 27 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific St. Louis home with the True Cost Calculator.