Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Arlington is 44% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,389/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 30%
$73,519/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 25%
$276,400 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 33%
$1,420/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 29%
394,769
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $411/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,932/year.

Median household income is $18,240/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Arlington or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and St. Louis?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $411/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or St. Louis?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $18,240/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Missouri?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with rent of $978/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View St. Louis details →

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