Home › Compare › Austin, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs St. Louis, MO

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

12.6% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
37.3% 37.3% cheaper housing
0.0% 0.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 37.3% cheaper
Austin
118
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Austin
96
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Austin
98
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Austin
97
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 3.0% more
Austin
99
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Austin, TX St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1039012.6% less
Housing1187437.3% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,450$1,00031.0% less
Median Home Price$425,000$185,00056.5% less
Groceries9696~Same
Transportation98100~Same
Healthcare9796~Same
Utilities991023.0% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Austin, TX St. Louis, MO
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Austin, TX
$85,000
Median household income
St. Louis, MO
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: St. Louis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in St. Louis to maintain your Austin lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Austin (103) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Austin3.2%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Austin4.1%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
AustinTech, Government, Healthcare
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Austin28 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Austin41
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Austin38
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Austin68°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Austin979,882
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Austin and St. Louis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in St. Louis →

Compare Other Cities

Austin vs Denver → Austin vs Nashville → Austin vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix → St. Louis vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or St. Louis cheaper to live in?+
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 37.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,450/month in Austin and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $450 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Austin or St. Louis?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Missouri has a state income tax of 4.80% (top) and sales tax of 4.23%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Austin to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Austin is $85,000 compared to $52,000 in St. Louis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Austin vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Austin is $425,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $240,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Missouri averages 0.88%.