Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Saint Louis

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Saint Louis, Missouri.

Bottom line

Houston is approximately 2% more expensive than Saint Louis. A single person needs about $3,185/mo in Houston versus $3,135/mo in Saint Louis.

Rent in Houston vs Saint Louis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Saint Louis · Studio

$951

Houston is $275 (29%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Saint Louis · 1 bedroom

$984

Houston is $295 (30%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Saint Louis · 2 bedroom

$1,215

Houston is $314 (26%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Saint Louis · 3 bedroom

$1,570

Houston is $468 (30%) higher than Saint Louis

Income & earnings in Houston vs Saint Louis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Saint Louis · Household income

$81,340

Saint Louis is $8,236 (11%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Saint Louis · Individual earnings

$47,763

Saint Louis is $6,025 (14%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Saint Louis · Per capita

$51,085

Saint Louis is $11,107 (28%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Saint Louis

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Saint Louis · Average home value

$260,700

Saint Louis is $5,700 (2%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Saint Louis · Annual property tax

$3,193

Houston is $1,189 (37%) higher than Saint Louis

Energy in Houston vs Saint Louis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Saint Louis · Monthly electricity

$142

Houston is $25 (18%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Saint Louis · Monthly gas

$52

Saint Louis is $20 (63%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Saint Louis · Annual total

$2,328

Houston is $60 (3%) higher than Saint Louis

Healthcare in Houston vs Saint Louis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Saint Louis · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Saint Louis are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Saint Louis · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Saint Louis are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Saint Louis · Uninsured rate

5.8%

Houston is 15.4% (266%) higher than Saint Louis

Taxes in Houston vs Saint Louis

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Saint Louis · State income tax

4.8%

Saint Louis is 4.8% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Saint Louis · State sales tax

4.2%

Houston is 2.0% (48%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Saint Louis · Combined sales tax

8.3%

Saint Louis is 0.1% (1%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Saint Louis

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Saint Louis · Average commute

23.3 min

Houston is 5.7 min (24%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Saint Louis · Drive alone

73.7%

Saint Louis is 1.3% (2%) higher than Houston

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Saint Louis · Public transit

1.4%

Houston is 0.7% (50%) higher than Saint Louis

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Saint Louis

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Saint Louis · Single person

$3,135

Houston is $50 (2%) higher than Saint Louis

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Saint Louis · Couple

$4,623

Saint Louis is $87 (2%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Saint Louis · Family

$7,100

Houston is $87 (1%) higher than Saint Louis

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Saint Louis.

Is Houston or Saint Louis more expensive?

Houston is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,135/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Saint Louis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $984/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri. Houston is approximately $295 (30%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Saint Louis households earn approximately $81,340 per year.

More on Houston and Saint Louis

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Houston profile Saint Louis profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.