Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 293,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.6 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 6.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 45.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 5.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $55,279 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 19.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 45.4% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 501 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2418 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.0 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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