St. Louis MO vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Louis
293,109
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Washington
39.1%
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 45.7% | 39.1% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 43.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $580,173 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 41.1% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 24.0% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 32.8 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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