Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 293,109 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.6 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 6.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 39.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 5.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $55,279 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,527 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 45.4% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2418 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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