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

Cost of Living: Dallas, 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.

11.8% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
31.5% 31.5% cheaper housing
1.0% 1.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 31.5% cheaper
Dallas
108
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Dallas
97
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Dallas
101
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Dallas
98
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Dallas
104
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Dallas, TX St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1029011.8% less
Housing1087431.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,400$1,00028.6% less
Median Home Price$340,000$185,00045.6% less
Groceries9796~Same
Transportation101100~Same
Healthcare9896~Same
Utilities104102~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Dallas, 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

Dallas, TX
$72,000
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 Dallas lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Dallas (102) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Dallas3.8%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Dallas3.4%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
DallasTech, Finance, Telecom
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Dallas28 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Dallas46
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Dallas48
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Dallas66°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Dallas1,288,457
St. Louis293,310

Moving from Dallas to St. Louis?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Dallas 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dallas 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 31.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Dallas vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,400/month in Dallas and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $400 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Dallas 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 Dallas to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Dallas is $72,000 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 Dallas vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Dallas is $340,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $155,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Missouri averages 0.88%.