City comparison
Yes. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,086 in Lincoln.
Safety is where Lincoln and St Louis split most clearly. Lincoln scores 228 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,086 in Lincoln and $997 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Lincoln pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Lincoln has rougher pockets and St Louis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Lincoln and St Louis are 375 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $997 a month in St Louis, down $89 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $56,160 in St Louis, down $15,707 (22%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 352 in St Louis, up 228 points (184%).
The move
St Louis and Lincoln are 375 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, up $89 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $15,707 (28%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 124 in Lincoln, down 228 points (65%).
Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
St Louis rent is 8% cheaper than Lincoln
Lincoln
$1,086/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,086 in Lincoln, so St Louis is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $89, or $1,068 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
28% higher
Lincoln's median income is 28% higher than St Louis
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 28% higher in Lincoln (about $15,707 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, Lincoln 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
65% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 65% lower than St Louis
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 65% lower in Lincoln. 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, Lincoln 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
11% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 11% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°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 11% 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 Lincoln 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 and professional growth
Lincoln is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 28% higher here ($71,867). Start with Lincoln if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 65% lower than St Louis (124 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% 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.
Pick St Louis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (58°F) beat Lincoln on this page's weather index by 11%. Lincoln may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Lincoln leads on safety (53/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,086 in Lincoln and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Lincoln's $1,086, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Lincoln and 58°F in St Louis.
Between Lincoln and St Louis, Lincoln is ahead on safety — 53/100 safety versus 22/100. Lean St Louis instead when you already know the St Louis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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