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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 8.2% cheaper than Brownsville, TX. This translates to saving $614 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Brownsville, TX, you'd need approximately $142,631.62 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 12.5% cheaper than in Brownsville, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,093/month in Brownsville, TX.

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

Moving from Brownsville, TX to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $614 per month, or $7368 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Brownsville, TX vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Brownsville, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Corpus Christi, TX area

Current salary in Brownsville, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $614/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.6K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 8.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$614

Savings

Annual Impact

$7.4K

Per year

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

Brownsville, TX

Population:190K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$184K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$145K

Brownsville, TX

The Lone Star State

190K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 190K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

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: Brownsville, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Brownsville, TX	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,138/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $267less	12.5%
📦Other	$1,813/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $206less	11.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,337/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $121less	9.1%
⚡All Utilities	$502/mo	$535/mo	↑ $33.66more	6.7%
🛒Groceries	$928/mo	$949/mo	↑ $21.38more	2.3%
🏥Healthcare	$537/mo	$527/mo	↓ $10.76less	2.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 12.5%

Brownsville, TX

$2,138

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$267

less

📦Other

↓ 11.4%

Brownsville, TX

$1,813

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$206

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 9.1%

Brownsville, TX

$1,337

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$121

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.7%

Brownsville, TX

$502

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$33.66

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.3%

Brownsville, TX

$928

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$21.38

🏥Healthcare

↓ 2.0%

Brownsville, TX

$537

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$10.76

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Brownsville, 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$812

To$910

↑ $98.00

1 Bed

From$906

To$950

↑ $44.00

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,160

↑ $67.00

3 Bed

From$1,479

To$1,490

↑ $11.00

Brownsville, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,030/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.

$7,255

Monthly in Brownsville, TX

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$550

Difference

Home Values

Brownsville

St. Louis

$184K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +50.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$169K - $228K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 21% less expensive than Brownsville

Calculate payment - Brownsville 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

Brownsville, 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

Brownsville, 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.