Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, St. Louis offers lower housing costs relative to income: median gross rent is $997 (17.8% of $56,160 income) versus Los Angeles at $1,933 (28.3% of $81,939 income). However, Los Angeles residents earn significantly more ($81,939 vs $56,160) despite longer commutes (33 vs 24 minutes). California's 9.30% state income tax applies in Los Angeles but is excluded for St. Louis per data constraints, affecting net income comparisons. The trade-off centers on St. Louis's housing affordability versus Los Angeles's higher earnings potential amid greater housing burdens and longer commutes.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → St. LouisMoving from St. Louis to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$936/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$11,232 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+9 min / day
Difference of ~75 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSTL → LAX
34/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$9,264after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, St. Louis is about $11,232 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
St. Louis household income$56,160
Los Angeles household income$81,939
St. Louis gross rent$997
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | St. Louis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 288,512 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $56,160 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $997 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $197,500 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 24 minutes in St. Louis and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Housing cost burden relative to local median income
- Median household income levels and purchasing power
- Average one-way commute time from ACS travel data
- State individual income tax applicability in calculation model
What each city wins
St. Louis
Affordable options available. Watch rent vs owner-occupied costs.
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between the two cities relative to income?
In St. Louis, median gross rent represents 17.8% of median household income, while in Los Angeles it accounts for 28.3%, indicating substantially higher housing cost burden in Los Angeles despite its higher nominal income levels.
What is the trade-off between income and commute time in these cities?
Los Angeles provides 46% higher median household income than St. Louis but requires 38% longer average commutes (33 vs 24 minutes), presenting a classic earnings-time trade-off where higher wages come with increased travel burdens.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.