Houston TX vs St. Louis MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Houston
22.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 293,109 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 22.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.4% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 5.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $55,279 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $38,947 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.8% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.9% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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