Let the numbers do the talking.
Saint Louis, MO vs St. Joseph, MO
Saint Louis, MO vs St. Joseph, MO: What the data shows
Saint Louis, MO is in Saint Louis, MO while St. Joseph, MO is in St. Joseph, MO — both in the same state. On home prices, St. Joseph, MO is the more affordable option at $97,300 median — $145,700 less than Saint Louis, MO's $243,000. WYLT rates Saint Louis, MO as “Think twice” — a neighborhood that warrants careful research before committing — and St. Joseph, MO as “Think twice” — a neighborhood that warrants careful research before committing.
Both neighborhoods have similar safety profiles. Saint Louis, MO has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. St. Joseph, MO has Moderate violent crime and Moderate property crime. On environmental risk, Saint Louis, MO has Low flood risk and St. Joseph, MO has Low flood risk.
Saint Louis, MO is the more walkable neighborhood. Saint Louis, MO scores 29/100 (mostly car-dependent) versus St. Joseph, MO's 2/100 (car-dependent). For families weighing school quality, Saint Louis, MO has the higher school rating — Saint Louis, MO rates 6.6/10 and St. Joseph, MO rates N/A.
| Category | Saint Louis, MO | St. Joseph, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Verdict | Think twice | Think twice |
| Median Price | $243K | $97K ✓ Lower price |
| Median Rent | $1K | $817 ✓ Lower rent |
| Median Income | $69K ✓ Higher income | $41K |
| Price Volatility | Low | Low |
| Getting Around | ||
| Walk Score | 29/100 ✓ More walkable | 2/100 |
| Transit Score | 22/100 ✓ Better transit | 1/100 |
| Bike Score | 54/100 ✓ More bikeable | 1/100 |
| Commute | 7 min ✓ Shorter commute | 64 min |
| Safety & Environment | ||
| Safety Grade | D+ | D+ |
| Violent Crime | Moderate | Moderate |
| Property Crime | Moderate | Moderate |
| Flood Risk | Low | Low |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good ✓ Cleaner air |
| Community | ||
| Schools | 6.6/10 ✓ Better schools | N/A |
| Best for | First‑time home buyers looking for low costRenters who value a short commuteFamilies needing decent schools | Budget buyersRetirees looking for a quiet placeRemote workers who can commute occasionally |
Bottom line
If you're on a tight budget, St. Joseph might appear appealing due to its extremely low home prices. However, you'll need to sacrifice easy access to amenities, decent schools, and reasonable commutes. For most people, Saint Louis offers a more balanced set of trade-offs, despite its higher prices and safety concerns.
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