San Jose CA 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)
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
San Jose
29.0%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 293,109 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 6.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 2.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 3.4% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 5.1% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $55,279 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $38,947 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 19.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 40.2% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 45.4% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 36.8% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.2% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.8% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.9% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.8% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Jose
30.4 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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