St. Louis MO vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
Toledo
3.4%
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 268,461 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| White | 45.7% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 43.1% | 28.7% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $47,532 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $27,407 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,300 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.5% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 24.5% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 21.0% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.3% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.6% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.3% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.9% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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