City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,509 in Fort Worth.
Safety is where Fort Worth and St Louis split most clearly. Fort Worth scores 217 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,509 in Fort Worth and $997 in St Louis.
Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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
Fort Worth and St Louis are 571 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $997 a month in St Louis, down $512 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $56,160 in St Louis, down $23,347 (29%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 352 in St Louis, up 217 points (161%).
The move
St Louis and Fort Worth are 571 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, up $512 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $79,507 in Fort Worth, up $23,347 (42%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 135 in Fort Worth, down 217 points (62%).
Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
St Louis rent is 34% cheaper than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$1,509/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,509 in Fort Worth, so St Louis is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $512/month back in your pocket ($6,144/year). Over five years that's $30,720 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 Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
42% higher
Fort Worth's median income is 42% higher than St Louis
Fort Worth
Winner$79,507
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 42% higher in Fort Worth (about $23,347 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, Fort Worth 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
62% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 62% lower than St Louis
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 62% lower in Fort Worth. 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, Fort Worth 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
Fort Worth weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Fort Worth
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Fort Worth averages about 66°F (73°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 66°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. Fort Worth 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 42% higher ($79,507), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 66°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fort Worth is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 62% lower than St Louis (135 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 34% 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
Safety is the widest gap: Fort Worth scores 51/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis. Rent is $1,509/month in Fort Worth and $997/month in St Louis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Fort Worth still pays more locally ($79,507 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Fort Worth rates.
Median income is $79,507 in Fort Worth versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Fort Worth; St Louis only makes sense when you have walked the St Louis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $997 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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