City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The cost gap between Philadelphia and St Louis is the real story here. St Louis comes in 29% cheaper on typical rent ($1,397 vs $997), which over a year adds up to $4,800. Median household income runs $61,953 in Philadelphia and $56,160 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Philadelphia 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 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
Philadelphia and St Louis are 808 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $997 a month in St Louis, down $400 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $56,160 in St Louis, down $5,793 (9%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 352 in St Louis, up 91 points (35%).
The move
St Louis and Philadelphia are 808 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $400 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $61,953 in Philadelphia, up $5,793 (10%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 261 in Philadelphia, down 91 points (26%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
St Louis rent is 29% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so St Louis is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $400/month back in your pocket ($4,800/year). Over five years that's $24,000 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 Philadelphia, 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
10% higher
Philadelphia's median income is 10% higher than St Louis
Philadelphia
Winner$61,953
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Philadelphia (about $5,793 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
26% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 26% lower than St Louis
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Philadelphia averages about 55°F (61°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($61,953). Start with Philadelphia if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 26% lower than St Louis (261 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 29% 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 Philadelphia on this page's weather index by 11%. Philadelphia may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
On rent alone, St Louis undercuts Philadelphia by $400/month ($997 vs $1,397). I would not pick Philadelphia on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Philadelphia's $1,397, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Between Philadelphia and St Louis, St Louis is ahead on housing cost — $997/month rent against $1,397. Lean Philadelphia instead when your $61,953 income offer in Philadelphia outweighs saving $400/month in St Louis.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and St Louis, plus other cities in PA and MO.
