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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Austin is 103% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,655/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 41%
$91,461/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 40%
$512,700 ↑ 177%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 64%
$1,747/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 42%
967,862
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $677/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $8,124/year.

Median household income is $36,182/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Austin 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 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and St. Louis?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $677/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or St. Louis?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $36,182/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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.
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