St. Louis MO vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 192,696 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 45.7% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 43.1% | 3.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.6% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 31.5% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $510,577 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 25.1 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Vancouver 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 Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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