City comparison
Yes. Houston's crime index is 270 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 294 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,361 in Houston.
The cost gap between Houston and St Louis is the real story here. St Louis comes in 27% cheaper on typical rent ($1,361 vs $997), which over a year adds up to $4,368. Median household income runs $64,813 in Houston and $56,160 in St Louis.
Houston 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 Houston 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
Houston and St Louis are 680 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $997 a month in St Louis, down $364 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $56,160 in St Louis, down $8,653 (13%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 352 in St Louis, up 82 points (30%).
The move
St Louis and Houston are 680 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,361 a month in Houston, up $364 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $64,813 in Houston, up $8,653 (15%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 270 in Houston, down 82 points (23%).
Houston, 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 Houston and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
St Louis rent is 27% cheaper than Houston
Houston
$1,361/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,361 in Houston, so St Louis is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $364/month back in your pocket ($4,368/year). Over five years that's $21,840 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 Houston, 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 Houston? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
15% higher
Houston's median income is 15% higher than St Louis
Houston
Winner$64,813
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Houston (about $8,653 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, Houston 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
23% lower crime
Houston's crime index is 23% lower than St Louis
Houston
Winner270 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Houston's crime index is 270 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% lower in Houston. 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, Houston 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
Houston weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Houston
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Houston sits near 70°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. Houston 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 15% higher ($64,813), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 70°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Houston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than St Louis (270 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 27% 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
Houston runs $1,361/month while St Louis sits at $997 — roughly 27% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Houston-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Safety still diverges (30/100 in Houston vs 22/100 in St Louis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 70°F in Houston and 58°F in St Louis.
St Louis is the default on housing cost at $997/month versus $1,361 in Houston; Houston stays in play when $64,813 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $364 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Houston when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and St Louis, plus other cities in TX and MO.
