Moving from St. Louis to Houston?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Houston, you'd need to earn:
$73,255/year
▼ $1,745 less than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $73,255 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,730 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,542 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,062 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $59,921 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +3.7% in Houston
- Housing is +32.3% in Houston
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $3,349/year in taxes in Houston
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~680 miles
DIY Truck
$3,000
Container
$5,000
Full-Service
$7,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Houston
| Your St. Louis Salary | Houston Equivalent | Difference | Houston Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $39,400 | -$600 | $33,696 |
| $50,000 | $49,150 | -$850 | $41,531 |
| $60,000 | $58,899 | -$1,101 | $49,364 |
| $75,000 | $73,255 | -$1,745 | $59,921 |
| $100,000 | $97,480 | -$2,520 | $76,963 |
| $150,000 | $145,690 | -$4,310 | $110,332 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Houston Compare
Housing (32% more expensive in Houston)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Houston rents for $1,129/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $335,000 in Houston vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. Texas has no state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Houston would save you about $3,349/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Houston's overall cost of living is 3.7% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Houston: 98.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Houston move. Average cost: $3,000–$7,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Houston
Average 1BR rent in Houston: $1,129/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
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