Moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Los Angeles, you'd need to earn:
$89,601/year
▲ $14,601 more than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $89,601 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$11,326 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$5,555 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,299 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$4,875 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $66,545 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +19.5% in Los Angeles
- Housing is +115.7% in Los Angeles
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $168/year in taxes in Los Angeles
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,586 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Los Angeles
| Your St. Louis Salary | Los Angeles Equivalent | Difference | Los Angeles Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $47,787 | +$7,787 | $38,991 |
| $50,000 | $59,734 | +$9,734 | $47,796 |
| $60,000 | $71,681 | +$11,681 | $55,605 |
| $75,000 | $89,601 | +$14,601 | $66,545 |
| $100,000 | $119,468 | +$19,468 | $84,756 |
| $150,000 | $179,202 | +$29,202 | $120,222 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Los Angeles Compare
Housing (116% more expensive in Los Angeles)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles rents for $2,295/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $940,000 in Los Angeles vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. California has a progressive state income tax from 1.0% to 13.3%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Los Angeles would cost you about $168/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Los Angeles's overall cost of living is 19.5% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Los Angeles: 113.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Los Angeles move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Los Angeles
Average 1BR rent in Los Angeles: $2,295/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.
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