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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

San Antonio is 24% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,258/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 22%
$62,917/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 12%
$219,700 ↑ 19%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 16%
$1,235/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 18%
1,458,954
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $280/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $3,360/year.

Median household income is $7,638/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs St. Louis — common questions

Is San Antonio 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 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and St. Louis?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $280/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or St. Louis?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $7,638/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View St. Louis details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and St. Louis

San Antonio vs. Philadelphia San Antonio vs. San Diego San Antonio vs. Phoenix San Antonio vs. Dallas San Antonio vs. Houston San Antonio vs. San Jose St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage