City comparison
Yes. Phoenix's crime index is 174 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 216 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
Safety is where Phoenix and St Louis split most clearly. Phoenix scores 178 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,582 in Phoenix and $997 in St Louis.
Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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
Phoenix and St Louis are 1,270 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $997 a month in St Louis, down $585 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $56,160 in St Louis, down $25,172 (31%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 352 in St Louis, up 178 points (102%).
The move
St Louis and Phoenix are 1,270 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $585 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $25,172 (45%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 174 in Phoenix, down 178 points (51%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
St Louis rent is 37% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so St Louis is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $585/month back in your pocket ($7,020/year). Over five years that's $35,100 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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
45% higher
Phoenix's median income is 45% higher than St Louis
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 45% higher in Phoenix (about $25,172 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, Phoenix 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
51% lower crime
Phoenix's crime index is 51% lower than St Louis
Phoenix
Winner174 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Phoenix's crime index is 174 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% lower in Phoenix. 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, Phoenix 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
21% more comfortable
Phoenix weather is 21% more comfortable than St Louis
Phoenix
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Phoenix averages about 81°F (87°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Phoenix averages around 81°F. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Phoenix scores 21% 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 45% higher ($81,332), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 81°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Phoenix is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 51% lower than St Louis (174 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 37% 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
Safety is the widest gap: Phoenix scores 43/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis. Rent is $1,582/month in Phoenix and $997/month in St Louis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Phoenix still pays more locally ($81,332 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Phoenix rates.
Weather averages land near 81°F in Phoenix and 58°F in St Louis.
Phoenix is ahead on safety (43/100 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 Phoenix and St Louis, plus other cities in AZ and MO.
