City comparison
Yes. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Reno and St Louis split most clearly. Reno scores 201 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,556 in Reno and $997 in St Louis.
Reno 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 Reno 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
Reno and St Louis are 1,583 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $997 a month in St Louis, down $559 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $56,160 in St Louis, down $24,600 (30%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 352 in St Louis, up 201 points (133%).
The move
St Louis and Reno are 1,583 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $559 a month (56%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $80,760 in Reno, up $24,600 (44%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 151 in Reno, down 201 points (57%).
Reno, NV
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 Reno and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
St Louis rent is 36% cheaper than Reno
Reno
$1,556/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,556 in Reno, so St Louis is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $559/month back in your pocket ($6,708/year). Over five years that's $33,540 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 Reno, 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 Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
44% higher
Reno's median income is 44% higher than St Louis
Reno
Winner$80,760
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 44% higher in Reno (about $24,600 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, Reno 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
57% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 57% lower than St Louis
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 57% lower in Reno. 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, Reno 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
15% more comfortable
Reno weather is 15% more comfortable than St Louis
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Reno averages around 62°F. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno scores 15% 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 44% higher ($80,760), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 57% lower than St Louis (151 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 36% 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 Reno leads on safety (47/100 vs 22/100 in St Louis). Typical rent is $1,556 in Reno and $997 in St Louis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Reno still pays more locally ($80,760 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Reno rates.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Reno is ahead on safety (47/100 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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