City comparison
No. Winston Salem's crime index is 203 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 225 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,087 in Winston Salem.
Safety is where St Louis and Winston Salem split most clearly. Winston Salem scores 149 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 $1,087 in Winston Salem.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Winston Salem pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Winston Salem has rougher pockets and St Louis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
St Louis and Winston Salem are 573 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,087 a month in Winston Salem, up $90 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $59,268 in Winston Salem, up $3,108 (6%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 203 in Winston Salem, down 149 points (42%).
The move
Winston Salem and St Louis are 573 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,087 a month in Winston Salem to $997 a month in St Louis, down $90 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $59,268 in Winston Salem to $56,160 in St Louis, down $3,108 (5%).
The crime index goes from 203 in Winston Salem to 352 in St Louis, up 149 points (73%).
St Louis, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Winston Salem, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Louis and Winston Salem? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
St Louis rent is 8% cheaper than Winston Salem
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Winston Salem
$1,087/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,087 in Winston Salem, so St Louis is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $90, or $1,080 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Winston Salem's median income is 6% higher than St Louis
St Louis
$56,160
Winston Salem
Winner$59,268
Median household income is $59,268 in Winston Salem versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Winston Salem (about $3,108 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
42% lower crime
Winston Salem's crime index is 42% lower than St Louis
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Winston Salem
Winner203 (100 = avg)
Winston Salem's crime index is 203 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 42% lower in Winston Salem. 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, Winston Salem 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
7% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 7% more comfortable than Winston Salem
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Winston Salem
56°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 75/100
St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs); Winston Salem averages about 56°F (66°F highs). St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Winston Salem averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis scores 7% 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 Winston Salem if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% 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.
Pick St Louis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (58°F) beat Winston Salem on this page's weather index by 7%. Winston Salem may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Winston Salem is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($59,268). Start with Winston Salem if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Winston Salem is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 42% lower than St Louis (203 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
Safety is the widest gap: Winston Salem scores 38/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis. Rent is $1,087/month in Winston Salem and $997/month in St Louis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Winston Salem's $1,087, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $997 in St Louis and $1,087 in Winston Salem.
Between St Louis and Winston Salem, Winston Salem is ahead on safety — 38/100 safety versus 22/100. Lean St Louis instead when you already know the St Louis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to St Louis?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for St Louis when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for St Louis and Winston Salem, plus other cities in MO and NC.
