New York NY vs St. Louis MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New York
8,516,202
New York +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
New York
35.9%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
New York
22.7%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 293,109 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 6.6% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 22.7% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 3.4% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 5.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $55,279 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $38,947 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 19.8% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 40.2% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.8% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.8% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
New York +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | New York, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs New York, NYNew York, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew York, NY vs Philadelphia, PANew York, NY vs San Antonio, TX