Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: San Antonio, 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.

0.0% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
9.8% 9.8% cheaper housing
4.3% 4.3% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 9.8% cheaper
San Antonio
82
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 4.3% more
San Antonio
92
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 6.4% more
San Antonio
94
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 3.2% more
San Antonio
93
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Antonio
101
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index9090~Same
Housing82749.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,0004.8% less
Median Home Price$255,000$185,00027.5% less
Groceries92964.3% more
Transportation941006.4% more
Healthcare93963.2% more
Utilities101102~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, 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

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
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 San Antonio lifestyle.

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

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Antonio 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

San Antonio vs Austin → San Antonio vs Denver → San Antonio vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio 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 9.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $50 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio 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 San Antonio to St. Louis?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 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 San Antonio vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $70,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Missouri averages 0.88%.