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St. Louis vs Houston

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Houston is 8% more expensive than St. Louis overall.St. Louis has a cost of living index of 88 vs Houston at 95 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Houston costs 31% less.

Pierre
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St. Louis
MO
88
COLI index
VS
Houston
TX
95
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategorySt. LouisHoustonDifference
Overall COLI8895+8%
Housing80105+31%
Groceries101103+2%
Transport100104+4%
Healthcare102101-1%
Utilities107112+5%

Median 1BR Rent

St. Louis
$1,050/mo
Houston
$1,350/mo

Median Home Price

St. Louis
$205,000
Houston
$265,000

Median Household Income

St. Louis
$48,438
Houston
$56,019

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Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis is cheaper to live in overall. St. Louis has a cost of living index of 88 while Houston has an index of 95, where 100 represents the US national average. Houston is 8% more expensive than St. Louis overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in St. Louis is $1,050 per month compared to $1,350 in Houston. The median home price in St. Louis is $205,000 versus $265,000 in Houston. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

St. Louis has a cost of living index of 88 and Houston has an index of 95, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in St. Louis, multiply by 1.08. For example a $75,000 salary in St. Louis is equivalent to approximately $80,966 in Houston.

St. Louis has a median household income of $48,438 per year versus $56,019 in Houston. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from St. Louis to Houston is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Houston is 8% more expensive overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.