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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Lubbock

Texas
75

St. Louis is 12% cheaper than Lubbock.

$978/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,137/mo ↑ 16%
$55,279/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$60,487/yr ↑ 9%
$185,100 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$197,900 ↑ 7%
$1,013/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,179/mo ↑ 16%
293,109
Population
261,078

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
22.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Lubbock, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 75 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $159/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,908/year.

Median household income is $5,208/year higher in Lubbock. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $197,900 in Lubbock.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Lubbock — common questions

Is St. Louis or Lubbock cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 75 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Lubbock?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Lubbock it's $1,137/month — a difference of $159/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Lubbock?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $60,487 in Lubbock. Median household income is $5,208/year higher in Lubbock.
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 Lubbock?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Lubbock has a cost index of 75 with rent of $1,137/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Lubbock details →

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