San Francisco vs St. Louis
Cost of Living Comparison
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in St. Louis, you'd need:
$22,134
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
St. Louis
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$224,826
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $31,344 more per year in St. Louis compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $2,712 less in taxes in St. Louis, while housing costs 66% less. The cost of living in San Francisco is 100% above avg, while St. Louis is 19% below avg, making St. Louis the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in San Francisco feels like earning $22,134 in St. Louis once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, St. Louis has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in San Francisco ($17,920 vs $19,651 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or St. Louis more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 80.6 (national average = 100).
What salary in St. Louis equals $70,000 in San Francisco?
You would need to earn approximately $22,134 in St. Louis to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in San Francisco, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs St. Louis?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $43,248 in San Francisco and $14,616 in St. Louis—housing is 66% less in St. Louis.