City comparison
No. Chesapeake's crime index is 97 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 96 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,586 in Chesapeake.
Safety is where St Louis and Chesapeake split most clearly. Chesapeake scores 255 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $997 in St Louis and $1,586 in Chesapeake.
Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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
St Louis and Chesapeake are 770 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,586 a month in Chesapeake, up $589 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $95,373 in Chesapeake, up $39,213 (70%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 97 in Chesapeake, down 255 points (72%).
The move
Chesapeake and St Louis are 770 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,586 a month in Chesapeake to $997 a month in St Louis, down $589 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $95,373 in Chesapeake to $56,160 in St Louis, down $39,213 (41%).
The crime index goes from 97 in Chesapeake to 352 in St Louis, up 255 points (263%).
St Louis, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Chesapeake, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Louis and Chesapeake? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
St Louis rent is 37% cheaper than Chesapeake
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Chesapeake
$1,586/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,586 in Chesapeake, so St Louis is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $589/month back in your pocket ($7,068/year). Over five years that's $35,340 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 Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
70% higher
Chesapeake's median income is 70% higher than St Louis
St Louis
$56,160
Chesapeake
Winner$95,373
Median household income is $95,373 in Chesapeake versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 70% higher in Chesapeake (about $39,213 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, Chesapeake 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
72% lower crime
Chesapeake's crime index is 72% lower than St Louis
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Chesapeake
Winner97 (100 = avg)
Chesapeake's crime index is 97 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% lower in Chesapeake. 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, Chesapeake 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
4% more comfortable
Chesapeake weather is 4% more comfortable than St Louis
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Chesapeake
Winner59°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 83/100
St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs); Chesapeake averages about 59°F (66°F highs). St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chesapeake averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chesapeake scores 4% 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
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.
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 70% higher ($95,373), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Chesapeake is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 72% lower than St Louis (97 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Chesapeake: Chesapeake scores 61/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis, with typical rent at $1,586 versus $997. I would vet the exact ZIP in St Louis before trading 39 safety points for housing savings.
Chesapeake still pays more locally ($95,373 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Chesapeake rates.
Median income is $95,373 in Chesapeake versus $56,160 in St Louis.
If safety drives your move, Chesapeake is the stronger match (61/100 safety versus 22/100). If an employer or family tie already points to St Louis, treat $997/month rent and $56,160 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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