St. Louis vs Houston

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 Houston

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Louis has a housing index of 72 while Houston sits at 89 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Louis costs $175,000 compared to $250,000 in Houston, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in St. Louis versus $1,400 in Houston.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: St. Louis scores 97 while Houston scores 94.

Healthcare costs in St. Louis (95) are lower than Houston (96). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in St. Louis is $45,782 compared to $52,338 in Houston. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Louis.

Relocating: St. Louis vs Houston

If you are considering a move between St. Louis (index: 90) and Houston (index: 96), the 6% cost difference has real implications for your budget. St. Louis 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 Houston can afford $1,221/month. With median homes at $175,000 in St. Louis versus $250,000 in Houston, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in St. Louis and $1,400/month in Houston, renters save significantly in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis where costs are 10% 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 Houston (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Louis at 90 is 10% below the US average, while Houston at 96 is 4% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

A 6-point index spread separates Houston from St. Louis, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where St. Louis scores 72 and Houston scores 89. That 17-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors St. Louis with indices of 72 versus 89. Median home prices of $175,000 in St. Louis and $250,000 in Houston underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: St. Louis has an edge in housing and utilities, while Houston is more affordable for groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,000/month in St. Louis and $1,400/month in Houston, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $75,000 difference in median home prices between St. Louis and Houston translates to roughly $4,500 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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