City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
The income gap between St Louis and Scottsdale is significant: $56,160 median household versus $110,886. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $997 in St Louis and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 1,259 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $1,016 a month (102%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $54,726 (97%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 79 in Scottsdale, down 273 points (78%).
The move
Scottsdale and St Louis are 1,259 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $997 a month in St Louis, down $1,016 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $56,160 in St Louis, down $54,726 (49%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 352 in St Louis, up 273 points (346%).
St Louis, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Louis and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
50% cheaper
St Louis rent is 50% cheaper than Scottsdale
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so St Louis is 50% cheaper. That's roughly $1,016/month back in your pocket ($12,192/year). Over five years that's $60,960 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
97% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 97% higher than St Louis
St Louis
$56,160
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 97% higher in Scottsdale (about $54,726 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, Scottsdale 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
78% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 78% lower than St Louis
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 78% lower in Scottsdale. 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, Scottsdale 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
Scottsdale weather is 25% more comfortable than St Louis
St Louis
58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Scottsdale
Winner74°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 74°F (80°F highs). St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Scottsdale sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale 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
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 50% 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 97% higher ($110,886), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 78% lower than St Louis (79 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
St Louis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (22/100 safety vs 67/100 in Scottsdale). That 45-point spread matters more than the $1,016 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Scottsdale still pays more locally ($110,886 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Scottsdale rates.
Median income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $56,160 in St Louis.
Scottsdale clears the bar on safety in this dataset. St Louis deserves a serious look only when you already know the St Louis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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