San Francisco vs St. Louis: cost of living compared
St. Louis is 59% cheaper than San Francisco 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 Francisco and St. Louis presents a dramatic shift in overall cost of living. San Francisco is considerably more expensive across the board, with its costs more than double the national average. St. Louis, in contrast, offers a significantly more affordable environment, with expenses generally below the national average. This substantial difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are vastly higher in the Bay Area.
Housing
The gap in housing costs is immense. Buying a home in San Francisco is exceptionally expensive, with median prices reaching very high figures, while St. Louis offers homes at a fraction of that cost. Renting a one-bedroom apartment follows a similar pattern, being dramatically more expensive in San Francisco. San Francisco features a mix of historic and modern high-density housing, often with smaller footprints, whereas St. Louis offers more varied housing stock, including many larger, older homes.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably higher in San Francisco compared to St. Louis. Commute times are also generally longer in San Francisco. Additionally, the state income tax rate is considerably higher in California than in Missouri, further impacting disposable income. These factors mean that everyday spending will be substantially greater for residents in San Francisco.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, these metros offer distinct lifestyles. San Francisco is known for its mild, often foggy climate and dense urban environment, with extensive public transit options. St. Louis experiences all four seasons, including hot summers and cold winters, and is typically less dense, with a greater reliance on personal vehicles. San Francisco is characterized by its hilly terrain and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, while St. Louis is situated on the Mississippi River.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are profound. A budget that provides a comfortable lifestyle in St. Louis would likely be stretched thin or insufficient in San Francisco. The substantial difference in housing, everyday expenses, and state income tax means that a move to St. Louis offers a significantly lower financial barrier to entry and a much greater purchasing power for most goods and services.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 215 | 88 |
| Housing index | 309 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 135 | 95 |
| Food index | 125 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 122 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 148 | 95 |
| Misc index | 138 | 88 |
| Median home price | $1,250,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $3,450/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.