Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Austin, TX?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 15.5% cheaper than Austin, TX. This translates to saving $1165 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Austin, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, TX, you'd need approximately $136,019.417 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, TX and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 35.1% cheaper than in Austin, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,995/month in Austin, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Austin, TX to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Austin, TX to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1165 per month, or $13981 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Austin, TX

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Austin, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.2K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX area

Overall Cost

↓ 15.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,165

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$145K

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Austin, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Austin, TX	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,885/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,014less	35.1%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $134less	7.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $68.30less	5.3%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $61.96less	10.5%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.99less	1.0%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$535/mo	↓ $5.46less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 35.1%

Austin, TX

$2,885

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,014

less

📦Other

↓ 7.7%

Austin, TX

$1,741

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$134

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.3%

Austin, TX

$1,284

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$68.30

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Austin, TX

$589

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$61.96

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

Austin, TX

$959

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$9.99

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.0%

Austin, TX

$541

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$5.46

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,585

To$910

↓ $675

1 Bed

From$1,685

To$950

↓ $735

2 Bed

From$1,995

To$1,160

↓ $835

3 Bed

From$2,525

To$1,490

↓ $1,035

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,293

Difference

Home Values

Austin

St. Louis

$558K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +12.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$272K - $1.26M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 74% less expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.