City comparison
Yes. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Plano and St Louis is significant: $112,253 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,841 in Plano and $997 in St Louis.
Plano 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 Plano 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
Plano and St Louis are 531 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $997 a month in St Louis, down $844 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $56,160 in St Louis, down $56,093 (50%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 352 in St Louis, up 290 points (468%).
The move
St Louis and Plano are 531 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $844 a month (85%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $112,253 in Plano, up $56,093 (100%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 62 in Plano, down 290 points (82%).
Plano, TX
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 Plano and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
St Louis rent is 46% cheaper than Plano
Plano
$1,841/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,841 in Plano, so St Louis is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $844/month back in your pocket ($10,128/year). Over five years that's $50,640 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
100% higher
Plano's median income is 100% higher than St Louis
Plano
Winner$112,253
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 100% higher in Plano (about $56,093 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, Plano 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
82% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 82% lower than St Louis
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 82% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
Plano weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Plano sits near 69°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. Plano 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 100% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 82% lower than St Louis (62 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 46% 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Plano leads on safety (75/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,841 in Plano and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Plano still pays more locally ($112,253 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Plano rates.
Median income is $112,253 in Plano versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Plano; St Louis only makes sense when you have walked the St Louis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $997 rent.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Plano and St Louis, plus other cities in TX and MO.
