City comparison
Yes. Portland's crime index is 265 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,655 in Portland.
The income gap between Portland and St Louis is significant: $90,919 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,655 in Portland and $997 in St Louis.
Portland 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 Portland 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
Portland and St Louis are 1,719 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $997 a month in St Louis, down $658 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $56,160 in St Louis, down $34,759 (38%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 352 in St Louis, up 87 points (33%).
The move
St Louis and Portland are 1,719 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $658 a month (66%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $90,919 in Portland, up $34,759 (62%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 265 in Portland, down 87 points (25%).
Portland, OR
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 Portland and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
St Louis rent is 40% cheaper than Portland
Portland
$1,655/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,655 in Portland, so St Louis is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $658/month back in your pocket ($7,896/year). Over five years that's $39,480 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 Portland, 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 Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
62% higher
Portland's median income is 62% higher than St Louis
Portland
Winner$90,919
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 62% higher in Portland (about $34,759 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, Portland 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
25% lower crime
Portland's crime index is 25% lower than St Louis
Portland
Winner265 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Portland's crime index is 265 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Portland. 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, Portland 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
8% more comfortable
Portland weather is 8% more comfortable than St Louis
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Portland averages around 60°F. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland scores 8% 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 62% higher ($90,919), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Portland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than St Louis (265 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 40% 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 $1,655 in Portland. Median income reads $56,160 in St Louis and $90,919 in Portland, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Portland's $1,655, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Portland and 22/100 in St Louis.
Pick St Louis when shaving $658 off rent at $997/month is the priority. Otherwise, Portland's case rests on $1,655/month rent with $90,919 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Portland when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Portland and St Louis, plus other cities in OR and MO.
