St. Louis MO vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 68,141 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.1 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 45.7% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 43.1% | 5.3% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $523,551 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Vallejo
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.3% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 36.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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