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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

College Station

Texas
91

St. Louis is 27% cheaper than College Station.

$978/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↑ 19%
$55,279/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 6%
$185,100 ↓ 43%
Home Value
$326,500 ↑ 76%
$1,013/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↑ 23%
293,109
Population
122,280

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
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $190/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $2,280/year.

Median household income is $3,503/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs College Station — common questions

Is St. Louis or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and College Station?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $190/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or College Station?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $3,503/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 College Station?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and College Station

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 College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette