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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Midland

Texas
99

St. Louis is 33% cheaper than Midland.

$978/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↑ 44%
$55,279/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↑ 65%
$185,100 ↓ 38%
Home Value
$298,600 ↑ 61%
$1,013/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↑ 45%
293,109
Population
133,998

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
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $429/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $5,148/year.

Median household income is $35,890/year higher in Midland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Midland — common questions

Is St. Louis or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 99 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Midland?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $429/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Midland?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $35,890/year higher in Midland.
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 Midland?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Midland details →

More Comparisons

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