City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Arlington and St Louis split most clearly. Arlington scores 220 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $997 in St Louis.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Louis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Arlington is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Louis at $997 average has pockets that run $797 and others at $1,397: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and St Louis are 562 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $997 a month in St Louis, down $473 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $56,160 in St Louis, down $19,011 (25%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 352 in St Louis, up 220 points (167%).
The move
St Louis and Arlington are 562 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $473 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $75,171 in Arlington, up $19,011 (34%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 132 in Arlington, down 220 points (63%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Louis, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
St Louis rent is 32% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,470 in Arlington, so St Louis is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $473/month back in your pocket ($5,676/year). Over five years that's $28,380 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Arlington, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, St Louis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
34% higher
Arlington's median income is 34% higher than St Louis
Arlington
Winner$75,171
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 34% higher in Arlington (about $19,011 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Arlington is the stronger labor market on paper. St Louis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
63% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 63% lower than St Louis
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% lower in Arlington. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Arlington is the easier city. St Louis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
25% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Arlington scores 25% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose St Louis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 34% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 63% lower than St Louis (132 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Louis
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $997 a month. Choose St Louis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Arlington leads on safety (52/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Between Arlington and St Louis, Arlington is ahead on safety — 52/100 safety versus 22/100. Lean St Louis instead when you already know the St Louis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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