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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

St. Louis is 20% cheaper than Odessa.

$978/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↑ 35%
$55,279/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↑ 32%
$185,100 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$208,000 ↑ 12%
$1,013/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↑ 23%
293,109
Population
114,080

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
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $344/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,128/year.

Median household income is $17,751/year higher in Odessa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $208,000 in Odessa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Odessa — common questions

Is St. Louis or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Odessa?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $344/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Odessa?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $17,751/year higher in Odessa.
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 Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Odessa has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,322/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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