City comparison
Yes. Milwaukee's crime index is 266 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 375 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,059 in Milwaukee.
Safety is where Milwaukee and St Louis split most clearly. Milwaukee scores 86 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,059 in Milwaukee and $997 in St Louis.
St Louis is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Milwaukee makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone St Louis is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Milwaukee has rougher pockets and St Louis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Milwaukee and St Louis are 327 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,059 a month in Milwaukee to $997 a month in St Louis, down $62 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $54,234 in Milwaukee to $56,160 in St Louis, up $1,926 (4%).
The crime index goes from 266 in Milwaukee to 352 in St Louis, up 86 points (32%).
The move
St Louis and Milwaukee are 327 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,059 a month in Milwaukee, up $62 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $54,234 in Milwaukee, down $1,926 (3%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 266 in Milwaukee, down 86 points (24%).
Milwaukee, WI
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 Milwaukee and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
St Louis rent is 6% cheaper than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
$1,059/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,059 in Milwaukee, so St Louis is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $62, or $744 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
4% higher
St Louis's median income is 4% higher than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
$54,234
St Louis
Winner$56,160
Median household income is $56,160 in St Louis versus $54,234 in Milwaukee, so typical pay runs 4% higher in St Louis (about $1,926 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
24% lower crime
Milwaukee's crime index is 24% lower than St Louis
Milwaukee
Winner266 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Milwaukee's crime index is 266 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% lower in Milwaukee. 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, Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Milwaukee
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Milwaukee averages about 55°F (61°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Milwaukee is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 24% lower than St Louis (266 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% 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.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 4% higher ($56,160), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 58°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Milwaukee leads on safety (30/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,059 in Milwaukee and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (30/100 in Milwaukee vs 22/100 in St Louis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $997 in St Louis and $1,059 in Milwaukee.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Milwaukee; 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
Quotes and listings for St Louis when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Milwaukee and St Louis, plus other cities in WI and MO.
