Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs St. Louis
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Los Angeles compared to St. Louis?
In Los Angeles, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $68K in St. Louis. That means St. Louis offers 46% more spending power. Your money goes further in St. Louis.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in St. Louis
$68K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $68K in St. Louis vs $100K in Los Angeles
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
St. Louis
53.8
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
St. Louis is 32% cheaper than Los Angeles
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Los Angeles and St. Louis, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Los Angeles median | St. Louis median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $157K | $119K | St. Louis wins by 10% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79K | $66K | St. Louis wins by 22% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $159K | $137K | St. Louis wins by 26% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.68x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Los Angeles vs St. Louis?
A: Los Angeles is approximately 46% more expensive than St. Louis, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in St. Louis is equivalent to about $146K in Los Angeles. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in St. Louis?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in St. Louis, you would need approximately $146K in Los Angeles. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Los Angeles and St. Louis?
A: Based on 3 roles with salary data in both cities, St. Louis wins by 10% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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