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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

St. Louis is 48% cheaper than Richardson.

$978/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↑ 87%
$55,279/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 74%
$185,100 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$405,600 ↑ 119%
$1,013/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↑ 77%
293,109
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $847/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $10,164/year.

Median household income is $40,978/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Richardson — common questions

Is St. Louis or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Richardson?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $847/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Richardson?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $40,978/year higher in Richardson.
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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Richardson

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater