City comparison
Yes. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Safety is where Pittsburgh and St Louis split most clearly. Pittsburgh scores 194 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,261 in Pittsburgh and $997 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh and St Louis are 558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $997 a month in St Louis, down $264 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $56,160 in St Louis, down $9,582 (15%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 352 in St Louis, up 194 points (123%).
The move
St Louis and Pittsburgh are 558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, up $264 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, up $9,582 (17%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 194 points (55%).
Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
St Louis rent is 21% cheaper than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
$1,261/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh, so St Louis is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $264/month back in your pocket ($3,168/year). Over five years that's $15,840 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 Pittsburgh, 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
17% higher
Pittsburgh's median income is 17% higher than St Louis
Pittsburgh
Winner$65,742
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Pittsburgh (about $9,582 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, Pittsburgh 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
55% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 55% lower than St Louis
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in Pittsburgh. 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, Pittsburgh 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
31% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 31% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Pittsburgh averages around 51°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 31% 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 Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($65,742). Start with Pittsburgh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Pittsburgh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than St Louis (158 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 21% 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 Pittsburgh on this page's weather index by 31%. Pittsburgh may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
St Louis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (22/100 safety vs 46/100 in Pittsburgh). That 24-point spread matters more than the $264 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Pittsburgh still pays more locally ($65,742 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Pittsburgh rates.
Weather averages land near 51°F in Pittsburgh and 58°F in St Louis.
Pick Pittsburgh when you want the stronger safety signal (46/100). Otherwise, St Louis's case rests on a St Louis ZIP you trust at $997 rent.
Common questions
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