City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and St Louis split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 202 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $997 in St Louis.
Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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
Jacksonville and St Louis are 751 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $997 a month in St Louis, down $468 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $56,160 in St Louis, down $13,712 (20%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 352 in St Louis, up 202 points (135%).
The move
St Louis and Jacksonville are 751 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $468 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $13,712 (24%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 150 in Jacksonville, down 202 points (57%).
Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
St Louis rent is 32% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so St Louis is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $468/month back in your pocket ($5,616/year). Over five years that's $28,080 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
24% higher
Jacksonville's median income is 24% higher than St Louis
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 24% higher in Jacksonville (about $13,712 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, Jacksonville 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
57% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 57% lower than St Louis
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 57% lower in Jacksonville. 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, Jacksonville 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
23% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 23% more comfortable than St Louis
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°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. Jacksonville scores 23% 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 24% higher ($69,872), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 57% lower than St Louis (150 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 32% 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Jacksonville: Jacksonville scores 48/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis, with typical rent at $1,465 versus $997. I would vet the exact ZIP in St Louis before trading 26 safety points for housing savings.
Jacksonville still pays more locally ($69,872 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Jacksonville rates.
Median income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $56,160 in St Louis.
If safety drives your move, Jacksonville is the stronger match (48/100 safety versus 22/100). If an employer or family tie already points to St Louis, treat $997/month rent and $56,160 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and St Louis, plus other cities in FL and MO.
