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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

St. Louis is 53% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$978/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 83%
$55,279/yr ↓ 61%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 156%
$185,100 ↓ 61%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 159%
$1,013/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 98%
293,109
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $814/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,768/year.

Median household income is $86,074/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is St. Louis or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and The Woodlands?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $814/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $86,074/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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