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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Mission, TX and St. Louis, MO using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $112/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.7K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates Β· COL index from McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX area
Overall Cost
↓ 1.5%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$112
Savings
Annual Impact
$1.3K
Per year

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

Mission, TX

Population:87K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$187K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K
Cost Index:
99
(1% below avg)
Median Home:$145K

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Mission, TX

The Lone Star State

87K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 87K residents.

πŸ’‘ 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: Mission, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Transportation
↓ 13.2%
Mission, TX
$1,400
St. Louis, MO
$1,216
Difference
$184
less
Other
↓ 5.3%
Mission, TX
$1,697
St. Louis, MO
$1,607
Difference
$90.40
less
Housing
↑ 1.6%
Mission, TX
$1,842
St. Louis, MO
$1,871
Difference
$29.34
more
All Utilities
↑ 4.3%
Mission, TX
$514
St. Louis, MO
$535
Difference
$21.98
more
Healthcare
↑ 0.5%
Mission, TX
$524
St. Louis, MO
$527
Difference
$2.61
more
Groceries
↓ 0.0%
Mission, TX
$950
St. Louis, MO
$949
Difference
$0.21
less

πŸ›οΈ Local Income Taxes

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

Mission, 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$600
To$910
↑ $310
1 Bed
From$676
To$950
↑ $274
2 Bed
From$818
To$1,160
↑ $342
3 Bed
From$1,090
To$1,490
↑ $400
St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

πŸ’‘ 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.

$6,926
Monthly in Mission, TX
$6,705
Monthly in St. Louis, MO
$221
Difference

Home Values

Mission
St. Louis
-
Median Value
$145K
-
YoY Change
↓ -0.8%
-
5-Year Change
↑ +10.9%
-
Price Range
$38K - $302K

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

Mission, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
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

Mission, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

πŸ’‘ 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.

Environment

Mission
St. Louis
45 Good
Air Quality
54 Moderate
57.7%
Good Air Days
38%
89 Moderate
Climate Risk
99 High
🌑
Top Hazards
🌊🌑🫨
β–²+2.7Β°F
2050 Outlook
β–²+3.0Β°F
151 days
Heat Days >95Β°F
39 days
β–²+2.7Β°F
2050 Outlook
β–²+3.0Β°F
151 days
Heat Days >95Β°F
39 days

What to Consider When Moving from Mission, TX to St. Louis, MO

Relocating from Mission, TX to St. Louis, MO involves more than just comparing rent prices. While the overall cost of living is about 1% lower in St. Louis, MO, your actual experience will depend on your lifestyle, job situation, and priorities. Here are the key factors to weigh before making the move.

Housing & Rent

Housing is typically the largest line item in any budget, and it’s where the biggest differences show up between cities. In this comparison, housing in St. Louis, MO is 2% more expensive than in Mission, TX. Keep in mind that neighborhood choice within a city can swing rent by 30–50%, so research specific areas β€” not just city averages β€” before signing a lease. If you’re buying, factor in property tax rates, which vary significantly by county and state.

Job Market & Salary Adjustments

A lower cost of living doesn’t help if your salary drops proportionally. Before committing to a move, research whether employers in St. Louis, MO pay comparable wages for your role. Remote workers may keep their current salary, but some companies adjust pay based on location. Use the salary calculator above to see what you’d need to earn in St. Louis, MO to match your current standard of living in Mission, TX.

Taxes & Take-Home Pay

State income tax, property tax, and sales tax all affect how far your paycheck stretches. Some states have no income tax but make up for it with higher property or sales taxes. The tax comparison section above breaks down how your take-home pay would change. Don’t forget about vehicle registration fees, tolls, and other state-specific costs that add up over a year.

Quality of Life & Lifestyle Fit

Numbers only tell part of the story. Consider climate preferences, commute times, proximity to family, school quality if you have children, healthcare access, and the general β€œfeel” of a city. A place that’s 15% cheaper might not be worth it if it means a longer commute or fewer amenities you value. If possible, visit St. Louis, MO for a week before making a final decision β€” experiencing the day-to-day rhythm matters more than any spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions: Mission, TX vs St. Louis, MO

How do the cost estimates for Mission, TX and St. Louis, MO compare?

The saved overall index for St. Louis, MO is 1.5% lower than for Mission, TX. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Mission, TX, the model estimates $148,659 in St. Louis, MO. It assumes 60% of gross income changes with the relative cost index and 40% stays fixed. The monthly difference is the salary difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Mission, TX and St. Louis, MO?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $818/month in Mission, TX and $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

πŸ’° See how taxes change too β€” compare take-home pay between Texas and Missouri on TaxTakeHome.com

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