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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Allen

Texas
137

St. Louis is 52% cheaper than Allen.

$978/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$1,877/mo ↑ 92%
$55,279/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$129,130/yr ↑ 134%
$185,100 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$429,900 ↑ 132%
$1,013/mo ↓ 51%
Owner Costs
$2,083/mo ↑ 106%
293,109
Population
107,684

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Allen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $899/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $10,788/year.

Median household income is $73,851/year higher in Allen. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $429,900 in Allen.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Allen — common questions

Is St. Louis or Allen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Allen?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Allen it's $1,877/month — a difference of $899/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Allen?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $129,130 in Allen. Median household income is $73,851/year higher in Allen.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Texas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Allen?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Allen has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,877/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Allen details →

More Comparisons

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