City comparison
Yes. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Safety is where Cincinnati and St Louis split most clearly. Cincinnati scores 121 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,001 in Cincinnati and $997 in St Louis.
St Louis is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cincinnati makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone St Louis is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Cincinnati has rougher pockets and St Louis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Cincinnati and St Louis are 308 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $997 a month in St Louis, down $4 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $56,160 in St Louis, up $3,251 (6%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 352 in St Louis, up 121 points (52%).
The move
St Louis and Cincinnati are 308 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, up $4 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $3,251 (6%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 231 in Cincinnati, down 121 points (34%).
Cincinnati, OH
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 Cincinnati and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
St Louis rent is 1% cheaper than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
$1,001/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,001 in Cincinnati, so St Louis is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $4, or $48 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
St Louis's median income is 6% higher than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
$52,909
St Louis
Winner$56,160
Median household income is $56,160 in St Louis versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 6% higher in St Louis (about $3,251 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
34% lower crime
Cincinnati's crime index is 34% lower than St Louis
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 34% lower in Cincinnati. 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, Cincinnati 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
21% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 21% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Cincinnati averages around 53°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 21% 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 Cincinnati if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Cincinnati is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 34% lower than St Louis (231 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% 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.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 6% higher ($56,160), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 58°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
St Louis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (22/100 safety vs 35/100 in Cincinnati). That 13-point spread matters more than the $4 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Median income is $56,160 in St Louis versus $52,909 in Cincinnati — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Cincinnati 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.
Weather averages land near 53°F in Cincinnati and 58°F in St Louis.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Cincinnati and St Louis, plus other cities in OH and MO.
