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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 6.6% cheaper than Waco, TX. This translates to saving $497 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Waco, TX, you'd need approximately $144,036.235 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 4.0% cheaper than in Waco, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,034/month in Waco, TX.

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

Moving from Waco, TX to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $497 per month, or $5964 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Waco, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Arlington, TX area

Current salary in Waco, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $497/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.0K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 6.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$497

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.0K

Per year

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

Waco, TX

Population:145K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$241K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$145K

Waco, TX

The Lone Star State

145K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 145K 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: Waco, TX vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Waco, TX	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏥Healthcare	$626/mo	$527/mo	↓ $99.22less	15.9%
🏠Housing	$1,950/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $78.73less	4.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,273/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $57.02less	4.5%
📦Other	$1,576/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $30.89more	2.0%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$535/mo	↓ $21.89less	3.9%
🛒Groceries	$970/mo	$949/mo	↓ $20.52less	2.1%

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.9%

Waco, TX

$626

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$99.22

less

🏠Housing

↓ 4.0%

Waco, TX

$1,950

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$78.73

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.5%

Waco, TX

$1,273

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$57.02

less

📦Other

↑ 2.0%

Waco, TX

$1,576

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$30.89

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.9%

Waco, TX

$557

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$21.89

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 2.1%

Waco, TX

$970

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$20.52

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Waco, 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$709

To$910

↑ $201

1 Bed

From$834

To$950

↑ $116

2 Bed

From$1,034

To$1,160

↑ $126

3 Bed

From$1,334

To$1,490

↑ $156

Waco, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,160/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.

$6,952

Monthly in Waco, TX

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$246

Difference

Home Values

Waco

St. Louis

$241K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -1.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +32.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$137K - $296K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 40% less expensive than Waco

Calculate payment - Waco 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

Waco, 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

Waco, 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.