City comparison
Yes. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,392 in Newark.
Safety is where Newark and St Louis split most clearly. Newark scores 216 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,392 in Newark 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. Newark 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 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
Newark and St Louis are 863 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $997 a month in St Louis, down $395 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $56,160 in St Louis, up $4,100 (8%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 352 in St Louis, up 216 points (159%).
The move
St Louis and Newark are 863 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,392 a month in Newark, up $395 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $52,060 in Newark, down $4,100 (7%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 136 in Newark, down 216 points (61%).
Newark, NJ
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 Newark and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
St Louis rent is 28% cheaper than Newark
Newark
$1,392/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,392 in Newark, so St Louis is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $395/month back in your pocket ($4,740/year). Over five years that's $23,700 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 Newark, 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 St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
St Louis's median income is 8% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
St Louis
Winner$56,160
Median household income is $56,160 in St Louis versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 8% higher in St Louis (about $4,100 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
61% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 61% lower than St Louis
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 61% lower in Newark. 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, Newark 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
16% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 16% more comfortable than Newark
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Newark averages around 54°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 16% 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 Newark 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
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 61% lower than St Louis (136 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 28% 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 8% 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 Newark leads on safety (51/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (51/100 in Newark vs 22/100 in St Louis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Newark and 58°F in St Louis.
Newark is ahead on safety (51/100 vs 22/100); St Louis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $997/month rent plus $56,160 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and St Louis, plus other cities in NJ and MO.
