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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 9.8% cheaper than Houston, TX. This translates to saving $738 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $141,139.896 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 14.6% cheaper than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

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

Moving from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $738 per month, or $8860 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Houston, TX

Tap to swap

St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $738/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.1K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↓ 9.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$738

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.9K

Per year

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

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:90

Median Home:$145K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

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: Houston, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Houston, TX	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $320less	14.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $234less	16.1%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $161less	9.1%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$949/mo	↑ $37.97more	4.2%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$527/mo	↓ $35.32less	6.3%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$535/mo	↓ $16.94less	3.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 14.6%

Houston, TX

$2,191

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$320

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 16.1%

Houston, TX

$1,449

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$234

less

📦Other

↓ 9.1%

Houston, TX

$1,768

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$161

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.2%

Houston, TX

$911

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$37.97

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.3%

Houston, TX

$562

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$35.32

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.1%

Houston, TX

$552

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$16.94

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Houston, 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$1,220

To$910

↓ $310

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$950

↓ $310

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$1,160

↓ $340

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$1,490

↓ $530

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/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.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$728

Difference

Home Values

Houston

St. Louis

$245K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 41% less expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston 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

Houston, 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

Houston, 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.