St. Louis MO vs Tacoma WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 220,482 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.3 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 45.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 43.1% | 10.5% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 33.5% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $496,966 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.3% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 31.1 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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