City comparison
Yes. Orlando's crime index is 242 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 241 versus 376, using 2022 FBI data for Orlando and 2024-2025 FBI data for St Louis.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
The cost gap between Orlando and St Louis is the real story here. St Louis comes in 43% cheaper on typical rent ($1,747 vs $997), which over a year adds up to $9,000. Median household income runs $72,336 in Orlando and $56,160 in St Louis.
Orlando 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 Orlando 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
Orlando and St Louis are 861 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $997 a month in St Louis, down $750 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $56,160 in St Louis, down $16,176 (22%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 352 in St Louis, up 110 points (45%).
The move
St Louis and Orlando are 861 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $750 a month (75%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $72,336 in Orlando, up $16,176 (29%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 242 in Orlando, down 110 points (31%).
Orlando, 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 Orlando and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
St Louis rent is 43% cheaper than Orlando
Orlando
$1,747/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,747 in Orlando, so St Louis is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $750/month back in your pocket ($9,000/year). Over five years that's $45,000 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 Orlando, 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 Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
29% higher
Orlando's median income is 29% higher than St Louis
Orlando
Winner$72,336
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Orlando (about $16,176 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, Orlando 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
31% lower crime
Orlando's crime index is 31% lower than St Louis
Orlando
Winner242 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Orlando's crime index is 242 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Orlando. 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, Orlando 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
Orlando weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Orlando sits near 71°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. Orlando 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 29% higher ($72,336), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Orlando is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than St Louis (242 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 43% 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
Housing separates these metros first: $997/month in St Louis versus $1,747 in Orlando. Median income reads $56,160 in St Louis and $72,336 in Orlando, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Orlando's $1,747, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $56,160 in St Louis.
If housing cost drives your move, St Louis is the stronger match ($997/month rent against $1,747). If an employer or family tie already points to Orlando, treat $1,747/month rent and $72,336 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 Orlando and St Louis, plus other cities in FL and MO.
