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Cost of Living: Houston, 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.

6.2% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
19.6% 19.6% cheaper housing
2.1% 2.1% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 19.6% cheaper
Houston
92
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 2.1% more
Houston
94
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Houston
100
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Houston
95
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 3.8% cheaper
Houston
106
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Houston, TX St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index96906.2% less
Housing927419.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,200$1,00016.7% less
Median Home Price$295,000$185,00037.3% less
Groceries94962.1% more
Transportation100100~Same
Healthcare9596~Same
Utilities1061023.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Houston, 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

Houston, TX
$67,000
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 Houston lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Houston (96) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Houston4.5%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Houston3.1%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Houston30 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Houston33
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Houston52
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Houston70°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Houston2,304,580
St. Louis293,310

Moving from Houston to St. Louis?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Houston 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston 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 19.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Houston vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,200/month in Houston and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $200 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Houston 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 Houston to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Houston is $67,000 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 Houston vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Houston is $295,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $110,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Missouri averages 0.88%.