Median rent is 34% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $303,000. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, St. Louis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 102.5 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fort Worth, TX.
Cost of living verdict
St. Louis is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.0 in St. Louis vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$69,499
You could earn $5,501 less (7% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fort Worth
Texas
St. Louis
Missouri
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Louis — median rent of $997/mo versus $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Fort Worth: the median home is $303,000 versus $197,500 in St. Louis — 35% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for St. Louis (avg AQI 33.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.0 vs 102.5).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($997/mo median).
Is Fort Worth cheaper than St. Louis?
St. Louis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in St. Louis.
How much is rent in Fort Worth vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Worth or St. Louis?
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Worth or St. Louis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Fort Worth income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $92,666 in St. Louis, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
