City comparison
Yes. Baltimore's crime index is 338 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 428 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,331 in Baltimore.
The cost gap between Baltimore and St Louis is the real story here. St Louis comes in 25% cheaper on typical rent ($1,331 vs $997), which over a year adds up to $4,008. Median household income runs $62,177 in Baltimore and $56,160 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Baltimore pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Baltimore and St Louis are 731 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $997 a month in St Louis, down $334 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $56,160 in St Louis, down $6,017 (10%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 352 in St Louis, up 14 points (4%).
The move
St Louis and Baltimore are 731 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, up $334 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $62,177 in Baltimore, up $6,017 (11%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 338 in Baltimore, down 14 points (4%).
Baltimore, MD
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 Baltimore and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
St Louis rent is 25% cheaper than Baltimore
Baltimore
$1,331/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,331 in Baltimore, so St Louis is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $334/month back in your pocket ($4,008/year). Over five years that's $20,040 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 Baltimore, 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 St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
11% higher
Baltimore's median income is 11% higher than St Louis
Baltimore
Winner$62,177
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 11% higher in Baltimore (about $6,017 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, Baltimore 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
4% lower crime
Baltimore's crime index is 4% lower than St Louis
Baltimore
Winner338 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Baltimore's crime index is 338 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 4% lower in Baltimore. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Baltimore, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in St Louis. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
11% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 11% more comfortable than Baltimore
Baltimore
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis 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 Baltimore 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 and professional growth
Baltimore is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 11% higher here ($62,177). Start with Baltimore if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Baltimore is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 4% lower than St Louis (338 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 25% 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.
Pick St Louis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (58°F) beat Baltimore on this page's weather index by 11%. Baltimore may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Baltimore runs $1,331/month while St Louis sits at $997 — roughly 25% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Baltimore-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Baltimore's $1,331, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Baltimore and 58°F in St Louis.
Between Baltimore and St Louis, St Louis is ahead on housing cost — $997/month rent against $1,331. Lean Baltimore instead when your $62,177 income offer in Baltimore outweighs saving $334/month in St Louis.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Baltimore and St Louis, plus other cities in MD and MO.
