Sacramento vs St. Louis: cost of living compared
St. Louis is 31% cheaper than Sacramento 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 Sacramento and St. Louis presents a significant shift in overall expenses. Sacramento's cost of living is substantially higher than the national average, while St. Louis offers a notably more affordable experience. This considerable difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are dramatically higher in the California capital, impacting both homeowners and renters alike. Most other spending categories also contribute to Sacramento's higher price tag.
Housing
Housing costs represent the largest divergence between these two metros. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are considerably more expensive in Sacramento. St. Louis offers much more affordable median home prices and significantly lower rental rates for a typical one-bedroom unit. While not explicitly detailed in the numbers, California's property taxes and insurance costs can also be higher, adding to the overall burden for Sacramento homeowners.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses are consistently higher in Sacramento. State income taxes are considerably steeper in California, impacting take-home pay. Beyond taxes, transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities all command a greater portion of the budget in Sacramento. St. Louis offers relief across these categories, making routine spending noticeably lighter. Even miscellaneous goods and services are more expensive in Sacramento.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, a move involves adjusting to different environments. Sacramento offers a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, while St. Louis experiences all four distinct seasons, including humid summers and cold winters, with potential for severe weather. Sacramento is known for its proximity to natural attractions. St. Louis has a more established urban core with historic architecture and a comprehensive public transit system, while Sacramento's transit is more focused on light rail.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are clear: St. Louis offers a much more budget-friendly environment across almost all spending categories. The substantial difference in housing costs alone means that a given income will likely stretch much further in St. Louis than in Sacramento. While commute times are roughly similar, the overall financial burden of living in Sacramento is considerably greater, demanding a higher income to maintain a comparable lifestyle.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 128 | 88 |
| Housing index | 132 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 110 | 95 |
| Food index | 108 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 125 | 95 |
| Misc index | 105 | 88 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,750/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 30 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.