Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 293,109 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.6 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 6.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 45.7% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 3.4% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.1% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $55,279 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $38,947 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 19.8% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 40.2% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 45.4% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.8% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.2% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.9% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.8% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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