Quick answer
St. Louis costs $1805/month less overall ($1,580 vs $3,385/mo). St. Louis also has lower state income tax (Up to 4.95% vs Up to 13.3%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
San Francisco vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | San Francisco | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,800 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $3,800 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $1100K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $125 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $460 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $3,385 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 88/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 80/100 ✓ | 38/100 |
| State Income Tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $2,800 in San Francisco — a $1,700/month difference, or $20,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: St. Louis charges Up to 4.95% state income tax vs Up to 13.3% in San Francisco. On an $80K salary that's a $6,680/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $15,960 vs $5,940 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $1100K in San Francisco. At a 20% down payment, that's a $177,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: St. Louis utilities run $20 more per month than San Francisco.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
San Francisco
Mild year-round (55–65°F); famous summer fog; no snow; rainy Nov–Mar
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
San Francisco top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to San Francisco if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a biotech professionals
- →You're a high earners
- →You're a urban walkability seekers
- →You want to live without a car
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $3,385 in San Francisco — a $1805/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — San Francisco or St. Louis?
San Francisco is more walkable with a Walk Score of 88/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
San Francisco vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
St. Louis has lower state income tax (Up to 4.95%). On an $80K salary, that saves $6,680/year vs San Francisco (Up to 13.3%).
Is San Francisco or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $1100K in San Francisco — a $885,000 difference on the median home.