Quick answer
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent ($1,100/mo vs $1,327/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs Missouri (5.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $6,480/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Missouri vs Texas
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Missouri vs Texas at a Glance
| Metric | Missouri | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,100 ✓ | $1,327 |
| Avg median home price | $235K ✓ | $379K |
| Cheapest city | Kansas City ($1,100) | El Paso ($1,050) ✓ |
| Priciest city | St. Louis ($1,100) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | 5.4% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 44/100 | 45/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 7 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$4,320
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$6,480
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$10,800
/year saved in Texas
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Missouri (MO)
Tax reality
Missouri has a progressive state income tax up to 4.95%. Property tax is low-moderate (~0.9% effective). Sales tax 4.225% state + local to 8-9%. No estate tax.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summers are humid-subtropical — 90°F + 75% humidity from June through mid-September, plus severe thunderstorm season in spring.
- ✕Tornado risk is real. Missouri is in tornado alley and both Kansas City and St. Louis metros have had damaging tornadoes. Joplin (2011) was devastating.
- ✕St. Louis has real public safety concerns in specific city neighborhoods. North St. Louis has high violent crime; Central West End, The Hill, Soulard, and Tower Grove are generally fine. Knowing neighborhoods matters.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (7 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri or Texas cheaper to live in?
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,100/mo vs $1,327/mo in Texas, a $227/mo difference. Home prices: Missouri median is $235K vs $379K.
Missouri vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas has lower state income tax (None) vs 5.4% in Missouri. On an $80K salary that's $4,320/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $10,800/year.
Should I move from Missouri to Texas?
Missouri has a progressive state income tax up to 4.95%. Property tax is low-moderate (~0.9% effective). Sales tax 4.225% state + local to 8-9%. No estate tax.
What are the best cities in Missouri vs Texas?
Missouri's largest metros include Kansas City, St. Louis. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Missouri suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.