Missouri
Moderate tax burden · COL index 86
Wins 7 categories
California
Moderate tax burden · COL index 142
Wins 8 categories
California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Missouri's 4.7%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 65% higher than Missouri (index 86). The median home in California costs $790K vs $240K in Missouri. Politically, Missouri voted Republican in 2024 (R+19.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
7
Missouri
8
California
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Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or California?
Overall cost of living in Saint Louis, MO is 41.2% lower than in Los Angeles, CA. The average listing price for a home in Saint Louis, MO is $426,395, which is 68.3% lower than Los Angeles, CA. The average cost of groceries in Saint Louis, MO is 10.9% lower than Los Angeles, CA.
What are the drawbacks of living in Missouri?
Can you live comfortably on $70,000 a year in California?
Is Missouri one of the best states to live in?
Missouri offers a unique blend of affordability, opportunity, and culture that sets it apart as one of the best places to live in the United States. Centrally located in the heart of the Midwest, Missouri combines a low cost of living with a thriving job market, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant cultural scene.