Moving from St. Louis, MO to Austin, TX
A move from St. Louis, MO to Austin, TX covers 822 mi and around 15h 8m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
822 mi Β· 15h 8m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin and St. Louis is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 12.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.0Β°F vs 70.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 3.1% above St. Louis ($55,279 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Austin more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 3.1% higher than St. Louis (98.066 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 822 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 65.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 822 mi and the route typically takes 15h 8m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Austin, TX.