St. Louis vs El Paso

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Missouri salaries · Texas salaries

Living in St. Louis vs El Paso

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Louis has a housing index of 72 while El Paso sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Louis costs $175,000 compared to $185,000 in El Paso, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in St. Louis versus $1,000 in El Paso.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: St. Louis scores 97 while El Paso scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in St. Louis (95) are higher than El Paso (89).

Median household income in St. Louis is $45,782 compared to $47,568 in El Paso. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.

Relocating: St. Louis vs El Paso

If you are considering a move between St. Louis (index: 90) and El Paso (index: 85), the 6% cost difference has real implications for your budget. El Paso is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in St. Louis can afford $1,068/month, while the median household in El Paso can afford $1,110/month. With median homes at $175,000 in St. Louis versus $185,000 in El Paso, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in St. Louis and $1,000/month in El Paso, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in El Paso where costs are 15% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: St. Louis (90) vs El Paso (85)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Louis at 90 is 10% below the US average, while El Paso at 85 is 15% below average. Both cities are relatively affordable compared to the national average.

St. Louis and El Paso land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (90 vs 85), so the overall cost picture is similar. Healthcare shows the widest single-category margin at 95 versus 89, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between St. Louis and El Paso. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with St. Louis at 72 and El Paso at 69 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $175,000 and $185,000 respectively. With nearly identical cost profiles, the deciding factor between St. Louis and El Paso is more likely income potential, career opportunity, or lifestyle preference than raw cost of living.

For renters: With median rents of $1,000/month in St. Louis and $1,000/month in El Paso, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $10,000 difference in median home prices between St. Louis and El Paso translates to roughly $600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Amazon affiliate links