St. Louis MO vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 45.7% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 43.1% | 21.3% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $376,530 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.9% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 26.8 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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