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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

El Paso and St. Louis have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 6%
$58,734/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 6%
$171,700 ↓ 7%
Home Value
$185,100 ↑ 8%
$1,044/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 3%
678,147
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $63/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $756/year.

Median household income is $3,455/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs St. Louis — common questions

Is El Paso 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 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and St. Louis?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $63/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or St. Louis?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $3,455/year higher in El Paso.
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 El Paso or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View St. Louis details →

More Comparisons

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