St. Louis MO vs Wichita Falls TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 102,558 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 45.7% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 43.1% | 12.9% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.7% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $31,987 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 25.0% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.9% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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