City comparison
Yes. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The income gap between Atlanta and St Louis is significant: $85,652 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $997 in St Louis.
Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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
Atlanta and St Louis are 467 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $997 a month in St Louis, down $714 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $56,160 in St Louis, down $29,492 (34%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 352 in St Louis, up 155 points (79%).
The move
St Louis and Atlanta are 467 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $714 a month (72%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $29,492 (53%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 197 in Atlanta, down 155 points (44%).
Atlanta, GA
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 Atlanta and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
St Louis rent is 42% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so St Louis is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $714/month back in your pocket ($8,568/year). Over five years that's $42,840 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 Atlanta, 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 Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
53% higher
Atlanta's median income is 53% higher than St Louis
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 53% higher in Atlanta (about $29,492 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, Atlanta 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
44% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 44% lower than St Louis
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in Atlanta. 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, Atlanta 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
11% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 11% more comfortable than St Louis
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 11% 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 53% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than St Louis (197 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 42% 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
Housing separates these metros first: $997/month in St Louis versus $1,711 in Atlanta. Median income reads $56,160 in St Louis and $85,652 in Atlanta, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $56,160 in St Louis.
If housing cost drives your move, St Louis is the stronger match ($997/month rent against $1,711). If an employer or family tie already points to Atlanta, treat $1,711/month rent and $85,652 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and St Louis, plus other cities in GA and MO.
