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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Plano

Texas
132

St. Louis is 66% cheaper than Plano.

$978/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 83%
$55,279/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$108,649/yr ↑ 97%
$185,100 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$440,600 ↑ 138%
$1,013/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,829/mo ↑ 81%
293,109
Population
287,339

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Plano, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $814/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,768/year.

Median household income is $53,370/year higher in Plano. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $440,600 in Plano.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Plano — common questions

Is St. Louis or Plano cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Plano?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Plano it's $1,792/month — a difference of $814/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Plano?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $108,649 in Plano. Median household income is $53,370/year higher in Plano.
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 Plano?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Plano has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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