City comparison
Yes. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The income gap between Irvine and St Louis is significant: $136,719 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,997 in Irvine and $997 in St Louis.
Irvine 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 Irvine 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
Irvine and St Louis are 1,573 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $997 a month in St Louis, down $2,000 a month (67%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $56,160 in St Louis, down $80,559 (59%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 352 in St Louis, up 301 points (590%).
The move
St Louis and Irvine are 1,573 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $2,000 a month (201%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $136,719 in Irvine, up $80,559 (143%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 51 in Irvine, down 301 points (86%).
Irvine, CA
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 Irvine and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
67% cheaper
St Louis rent is 67% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $2,997 in Irvine, so St Louis is 67% cheaper. That's roughly $2,000/month back in your pocket ($24,000/year). Over five years that's $120,000 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 Irvine, 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 Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
143% higher
Irvine's median income is 143% higher than St Louis
Irvine
Winner$136,719
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 143% higher in Irvine (about $80,559 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, Irvine 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
86% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 86% lower than St Louis
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 86% lower in Irvine. 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, Irvine 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
Irvine weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Irvine
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Irvine sits near 76°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. Irvine 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 143% higher ($136,719), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Irvine is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 86% lower than St Louis (51 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 67% 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
St Louis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (22/100 safety vs 80/100 in Irvine). That 58-point spread matters more than the $2,000 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Irvine still pays more locally ($136,719 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Irvine rates.
Median income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Irvine 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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