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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Mesquite

Texas
89

St. Louis is 26% cheaper than Mesquite.

$978/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↑ 44%
$55,279/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$71,843/yr ↑ 30%
$185,100 ↓ 18%
Home Value
$226,500 ↑ 22%
$1,013/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,383/mo ↑ 37%
293,109
Population
148,848

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
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Mesquite, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $429/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,148/year.

Median household income is $16,564/year higher in Mesquite. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $226,500 in Mesquite.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Mesquite — common questions

Is St. Louis or Mesquite cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 89 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Mesquite?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Mesquite it's $1,407/month — a difference of $429/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Mesquite?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $71,843 in Mesquite. Median household income is $16,564/year higher in Mesquite.
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 Mesquite?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Mesquite has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Mesquite details →

More Comparisons

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