Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 293,109 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.6 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 6.6% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 45.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.4% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $55,279 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $38,947 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.8% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 45.4% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 501 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2418 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 36.8% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.9% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.8% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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