City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 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 $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and St Louis is significant: $93,658 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $997 in St Louis.
Austin 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 Austin 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
Austin and St Louis are 719 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $997 a month in St Louis, down $732 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $56,160 in St Louis, down $37,498 (40%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 352 in St Louis, up 190 points (117%).
The move
St Louis and Austin are 719 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $732 a month (73%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $93,658 in Austin, up $37,498 (67%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 162 in Austin, down 190 points (54%).
Austin, 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 Austin and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
St Louis rent is 42% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,729 in Austin, so St Louis is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $732/month back in your pocket ($8,784/year). Over five years that's $43,920 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 Austin, 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 Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
67% higher
Austin's median income is 67% higher than St Louis
Austin
Winner$93,658
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 67% higher in Austin (about $37,498 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, Austin 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
54% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 54% lower than St Louis
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% lower in Austin. 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, Austin 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
Austin weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Austin
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Austin sits near 68°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. Austin 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 67% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than St Louis (162 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Austin leads on safety (45/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Median income is $93,658 in Austin versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Between Austin and St Louis, Austin is ahead on safety — 45/100 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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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and St Louis, plus other cities in TX and MO.
