St. Louis MO vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 45.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 43.1% | 5.0% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.1% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $54,546 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $31,152 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 30.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $324,946 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.7% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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