San Diego vs St. Louis: cost of living compared
St. Louis is 44% cheaper than San Diego 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 San Diego and St. Louis presents a substantial shift in financial outlay. San Diego's overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, while St. Louis is noticeably more affordable. This considerable difference is primarily driven by housing expenses, which are dramatically higher in San Diego, impacting both homeownership and rental markets. Most other categories also show San Diego as more expensive.
Housing
The gap in housing costs is immense, making it the most impactful difference. Median home prices in San Diego are many times higher than in St. Louis, and monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment follows a similar pattern. St. Louis generally features a mix of older, established housing stock and newer developments, often with more space for the money. Property taxes and insurance costs will also reflect the vastly different home values.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all considerably higher in San Diego compared to St. Louis. Additionally, California's state income tax rate is substantially higher than Missouri's, further reducing disposable income in San Diego. This means that routine spending on essentials will require a much larger portion of your budget in San Diego.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, the metros offer distinct experiences. San Diego boasts a mild, sunny climate year-round and coastal access, with a more car-dependent transportation system typical of a sprawling California city. St. Louis experiences four distinct seasons, including humid summers and cold winters, and has a more established public transit system in its core. The pace of life and urban density also differ, with San Diego often feeling more expansive.
Bottom line
A move from St. Louis to San Diego would necessitate a substantial increase in income to maintain a similar standard of living, primarily due to the extraordinary difference in housing costs. Conversely, relocating from San Diego to St. Louis could free up a significant portion of your budget, allowing for greater financial flexibility across nearly all spending categories, while experiencing a different climate and urban character.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 158 | 88 |
| Housing index | 214 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 109 | 95 |
| Food index | 110 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 112 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 138 | 95 |
| Misc index | 115 | 88 |
| Median home price | $835,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,650/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 28 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.