O'Fallon vs Houston

Category / Metric	O'Fallon	Houston
Financial Overview
Median Income	$103,301	$62,637
Unemployment Rate	4%	4.8%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$372,500	$335,000
Price per SqFt	$171	$175
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$914	$1,135
Housing Cost Index	80.3	106.5
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	101.9	103.4
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$2.35
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	542.7	912.4
Bachelor's Degree+	43.1%	37.1%
Air Quality (AQI)	33	44

Here is the ultimate head-to-head showdown between Houston and O'Fallon.

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Houston vs. O'Fallon: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

Choosing a new home is never just about the numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about the rhythm of your mornings, the feel of your wallet, and the safety of your neighborhood. Today, we’re pitting a massive, sprawling metropolis against a compact, high-earning suburban gem. On one side, the energy and scale of Houston, Texas. On the other, the discovered affordability and quality of life in O'Fallon, Missouri.

Let’s break down this clash of titans.

The Vibe Check: Big City Energy vs. Suburban Sanctuary

Houston is a beast of a city. With a population over 2.3 million, it’s the fourth-largest city in the U.S. It’s a sprawling, car-dependent concrete jungle where the culture is as diverse as its food scene—think world-class barbecue, Tex-Mex, and a thriving international culinary landscape. It’s fast-paced, industry-driven (energy, healthcare, aerospace), and offers a "big city" feel with a surprisingly low barrier to entry. It’s for the ambitious professional who wants endless options, a vibrant nightlife, and doesn’t mind the heat or the traffic.

O’Fallon, Missouri, is the polar opposite. With a population of just 94,073, it’s a classic Midwestern suburb located in the St. Louis metro area. It’s known for excellent schools, well-kept parks, and a strong sense of community. The vibe is family-oriented, quiet, and steady. It’s for the person who values safety, top-tier public education, and a slower pace of life without being completely isolated from a major city’s amenities (St. Louis is about 30-40 minutes away). It’s the "have your cake and eat it too" option—suburban peace with urban access.

Verdict: This isn’t about which is "better," but which fits your personality. Houston is for the adventurer seeking scale. O’Fallon is for the planner seeking stability.

The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Stretch Farther?

This is where the story gets interesting. You might assume the smaller city is cheaper, but the data tells a nuanced story about purchasing power.

Let’s look at the raw costs:

Expense Category	Houston, TX	O'Fallon, MO	The Takeaway
Median Home Price	$335,000	$372,500	Houston wins on entry-level home price.
Rent (1BR)	$1,135	$914	O'Fallon wins on monthly rental costs.
Housing Index	106.5	80.3	O'Fallon wins decisively; a score of 80 means housing is 20% below the national average.
Median Income	$62,637	$103,301	O'Fallon wins by a landslide.

The Salary Wars & Purchasing Power:
Here’s the critical insight. If you earn $100,000 in Houston, you are above the median income, but you’re competing in a market where housing is 6.5% above the national average. Your money gets you a home, but it’s a stretch.

In O’Fallon, earning $100,000 places you solidly in the upper-middle class. With a median income of $103,301, you’re right at the community average. More importantly, with a housing index of 80.3, your dollar goes much further. You can afford a larger, newer home or save significantly more each month.

Tax Talk: This is a huge factor. Texas has 0% state income tax. Missouri has a state income tax ranging from 4% to 6%. For a $100,000 earner, that’s roughly $4,000 to $6,000 more in your pocket annually in Houston, all else being equal. However, O’Fallon’s lower housing costs often offset this tax advantage. Run the numbers for your specific salary.

Verdict: For pure housing affordability, O'Fallon wins (especially for renters). For overall cost of living when factoring in taxes, it’s a draw—high earners in Houston keep more of their paycheck, but O'Fallon’s cheaper housing creates a lower financial floor.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent & Market Competition

Houston is a buyer’s market with high inventory. The city’s sprawl means there’s always land to develop. You have choices, and you can often negotiate. The median home price of $335,000 gets you a lot of space, but be prepared for high property taxes (Texas has some of the highest in the nation) to account for the no-income-tax model.

O’Fallon is more of a balanced or slightly seller’s market. The housing index of 80.3 indicates high demand relative to supply. For $372,500, you’re getting a high-quality suburban home in a top-rated school district. The competition can be fiercer for the best properties, and you’ll need to move quickly. Renting is a great entry point here, with a 1BR costing $914—a steal for the quality of life.

Verdict: Houston offers more choice and lower entry prices for buyers. O’Fallon offers better value and quality for the price, but with less inventory and more competition.

The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

Houston: Infamous. The city is built for cars, and rush hour is a daily event. Commutes can easily be 45-90 minutes each way. Public transit exists but is limited. You will spend significant time in your car.
O’Fallon: Much more manageable. As a suburb, commutes are typically 20-35 minutes to St. Louis. Traffic exists but is nothing like Houston’s scale. You can actually enjoy a drive.

Weather

Houston: 59.0°F average is misleading. It’s a city of extremes: sweltering, humid summers (often 90°F+ with high humidity) and mild, damp winters. Hurricane season is a real threat. The weather can be a major dealbreaker.
O’Fallon: 39.0°F average tells the real story. You get four distinct seasons. Summers are warm but manageable. Winters bring snow and cold (often below freezing). It’s a true Midwestern climate—beautiful falls and springs, but you must be prepared for snow.

Crime & Safety

This is a stark contrast.
Houston: Violent crime rate is 912.4 per 100,000 people. This is significantly above the national average. While many neighborhoods are safe, you must be diligent about researching specific areas.
O’Fallon: Violent crime rate is 542.7 per 100,000. While still above the ideal, it is 40% lower than Houston. O’Fallon is consistently ranked as one of the safer suburbs in the St. Louis metro area. For families, this is a massive point in O’Fallon’s favor.

Verdict: O’Fallon wins decisively on commute, safety, and manageable weather for most. Houston offers a vibrant, year-round outdoor life (if you can handle the heat) but at the cost of longer commutes and higher safety concerns.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Move Where?

After crunching the numbers and living the hypothetical lifestyles, here is your clear guide.

Winner for Families

🏆 O'Fallon, Missouri
The data is clear: lower violent crime (542.7 vs. 912.4), excellent public schools (a hallmark of O’Fallon), and a community built around family activities. The median income of $103,301 means a single-income household can thrive. The safer environment and manageable commutes create a stable foundation for raising kids.

Winner for Singles & Young Professionals

🏆 Houston, Texas
If you crave energy, diversity, and career opportunities in fields like energy, healthcare, or tech, Houston is your playground. The nightlife, food scene, and sheer number of people provide endless networking and social opportunities. The 0% state income tax is a huge boost for building wealth early in your career. Just be prepared for the traffic and higher crime rates.

Winner for Retirees

🏆 O'Fallon, Missouri
This is a tough call, but O’Fallon edges out Houston. The lower cost of living, especially in housing, stretches fixed incomes further. The safer environment and slower pace are ideal for retirees. While Houston has great healthcare, the weather (extreme heat/humidity) can be challenging for older adults. O’Fallon’s four seasons are more manageable, and the community is welcoming.

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At a Glance: Pros & Cons

Houston, Texas

Pros:

• 0% State Income Tax: Keep more of your earnings.
• Vast Job Market: Diverse industries and endless opportunities.
• World-Class Food & Culture: Unmatched culinary diversity.
• Warmer Winters: No snow shoveling.
• Buyer’s Market: More housing choices for buyers.

Cons:

• Extreme Weather: Brutal humidity, hurricane risk.
• Notorious Traffic: Long, stressful commutes.
• High Crime Rate: Significantly above national average.
• High Property Taxes: Offsets the no-income-tax benefit.
• Car-Dependent: Limited public transit.

O'Fallon, Missouri

Pros:

• High Median Income: $103,301—a strong earning community.
• Excellent Value: Housing index of 80.3 (20% below national average).
• Top-Tier Safety: Violent crime 40% lower than Houston.
• Great Schools: A major draw for families.
• Manageable Commute: Easy access to St. Louis without the big-city chaos.

Cons:

• State Income Tax: 4-6% of your income goes to the state.
• Colder Winters: Snow and freezing temps are the norm.
• Smaller Job Market: Primarily a commuter suburb to St. Louis.
• Less "Vibrancy": Quieter nightlife and cultural scene.
• Seller’s Market Pressure: Can be competitive for homebuyers.

The Bottom Line: Choose Houston if you prioritize career growth, tax breaks, and big-city amenities, and can handle the weather and safety trade-offs. Choose O’Fallon if you prioritize safety, schools, community, and getting more house for your money, and you’re okay with a Midwest climate and state income tax.