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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

St. Louis is 22% more expensive than Brownsville.

$978/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 7%
$55,279/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 12%
$185,100 ↑ 51%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 34%
$1,013/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 18%
293,109
Population
188,023

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
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $72/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $864/year.

Median household income is $6,604/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Brownsville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Brownsville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $72/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Brownsville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $6,604/year higher in St. Louis.
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 Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Brownsville details →

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