Moving from Los Angeles to St. Louis?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Los Angeles lifestyle in St. Louis, you'd need to earn:
$62,778/year
▼ $12,222 less than you make now
| Category | Los Angeles | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $62,778 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$5,495 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$3,892 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$910 |
| State Tax | -$3,517 | -$2,775 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,631 | $49,706 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -16.3% in St. Louis
- Housing is -53.6% in St. Louis
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $168/year in taxes in St. Louis
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,586 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: Los Angeles to St. Louis
| Your Los Angeles Salary | St. Louis Equivalent | Difference | St. Louis Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,482 | -$6,518 | $27,544 |
| $50,000 | $41,852 | -$8,148 | $33,875 |
| $60,000 | $50,223 | -$9,777 | $40,208 |
| $75,000 | $62,778 | -$12,222 | $49,706 |
| $100,000 | $83,704 | -$16,296 | $63,514 |
| $150,000 | $125,556 | -$24,444 | $90,845 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Los Angeles and St. Louis Compare
Housing (54% cheaper in St. Louis)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in St. Louis rents for $990/month compared to $2,295/month in Los Angeles. Median home prices: $235,000 in St. Louis vs $940,000 in Los Angeles.
Taxes
California has a progressive state income tax from 1.0% to 13.3%. Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to St. Louis would save you about $168/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
St. Louis's overall cost of living is 16.3% lower than Los Angeles, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Los Angeles: 113.6, St. Louis: 95.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Los Angeles to St. Louis move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in St. Louis
Average 1BR rent in St. Louis: $990/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →