City comparison
Yes. Washington's crime index is 223 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 243 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and St Louis is significant: $109,870 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $997 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Washington 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 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
Washington and St Louis are 709 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $997 a month in St Louis, down $957 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $56,160 in St Louis, down $53,710 (49%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 352 in St Louis, up 129 points (58%).
The move
St Louis and Washington are 709 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $957 a month (96%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $109,870 in Washington, up $53,710 (96%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 223 in Washington, down 129 points (37%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
49% cheaper
St Louis rent is 49% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,954 in Washington, so St Louis is 49% cheaper. That's roughly $957/month back in your pocket ($11,484/year). Over five years that's $57,420 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 Washington, 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 St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
96% higher
Washington's median income is 96% higher than St Louis
Washington
Winner$109,870
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 96% higher in Washington (about $53,710 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, Washington 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
37% lower crime
Washington's crime index is 37% lower than St Louis
Washington
Winner223 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Washington's crime index is 223 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 37% lower in Washington. 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, Washington 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 Washington
Washington
56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Washington averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis averages around 58°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 Washington 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 and professional growth
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 96% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Washington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 37% lower than St Louis (223 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
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 49% 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 Washington on this page's weather index by 7%. Washington may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $997/month in St Louis versus $1,954 in Washington. Median income reads $56,160 in St Louis and $109,870 in Washington, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
St Louis rent at $997/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 36/100 in Washington and 22/100 in St Louis.
If housing cost drives your move, St Louis is the stronger match ($997/month rent against $1,954). If an employer or family tie already points to Washington, treat $1,954/month rent and $109,870 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and St Louis, plus other cities in DC and MO.
