City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
Safety is where Chicago and St Louis split most clearly. Chicago scores 185 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $997 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Chicago 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
Chicago and St Louis are 260 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $997 a month in St Louis, down $443 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $56,160 in St Louis, down $21,742 (28%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 352 in St Louis, up 185 points (111%).
The move
St Louis and Chicago are 260 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $443 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $77,902 in Chicago, up $21,742 (39%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 167 in Chicago, down 185 points (53%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
St Louis rent is 31% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,440 in Chicago, so St Louis is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $443/month back in your pocket ($5,316/year). Over five years that's $26,580 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 Chicago, 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
39% higher
Chicago's median income is 39% higher than St Louis
Chicago
Winner$77,902
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 39% higher in Chicago (about $21,742 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, Chicago 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
53% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 53% lower than St Louis
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 53% lower in Chicago. 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, Chicago 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
17% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 17% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
St Louis
Winner64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); St Louis averages about 64°F (72°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis averages around 64°F. St Louis scores 17% 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 Chicago 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
Chicago is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 39% higher here ($77,902). Start with Chicago if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 53% lower than St Louis (167 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 31% 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 (64°F) beat Chicago on this page's weather index by 17%. Chicago may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Chicago: Chicago scores 44/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis, with typical rent at $1,440 versus $997. I would vet the exact ZIP in St Louis before trading 22 safety points for housing savings.
Chicago still pays more locally ($77,902 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Chicago rates.
Median income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Chicago clears the bar on safety in this dataset. St Louis deserves a serious look only 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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