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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Fort Worth is 47% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,412/mo ↑ 44%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 31%
$76,602/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 28%
$277,300 ↑ 50%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 33%
$1,489/mo ↑ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 32%
941,311
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $434/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,208/year.

Median household income is $21,323/year higher in Fort Worth. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Fort Worth 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 97 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and St. Louis?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $434/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or St. Louis?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $21,323/year higher in Fort Worth.
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 Fort Worth or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/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 Fort Worth details → View St. Louis details →

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