City Comparison
Cape Girardeau vs St. Louis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cape Girardeau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cape Girardeau
St. Louis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cape Girardeau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in St. Louis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cape Girardeau's average rent is
31% lower than St. Louis's.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $995 | $1,439 | -31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $385 | -1% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,389 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cape Girardeau offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cape Girardeau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cape Girardeau is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in St. Louis.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,680 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,907 idx | 50,562 idx |
| Household Income | $55,658 | $56,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cape Girardeau runs warmer on average — a 59.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cape Girardeau comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cape Girardeau sees 11.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cape Girardeau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cape Girardeau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Cape Girardeau.
From a growth perspective, Cape Girardeau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,818 | 273,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | — |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cape Girardeau
Advantages
Average rent in Cape Girardeau is roughly 50% lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Home to Southeast Missouri State University, providing robust cultural, educational, and arts amenities.
Serves as a major regional healthcare nexus with advanced medical facilities like Saint Francis and SoutheastHEALTH.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 minutes make daily travel efficient.
Scenic riverfront location along the Mississippi River featuring historic parks and a revitalized downtown.
Drawbacks
Local mean wages and median household incomes track below national averages per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
High level of car dependency with limited municipal public transit coverage.
Poverty rates can skew higher in specific core urban census tracts compared to surrounding county areas.
Susceptible to humid continental weather extremes with hot summers and variable winter conditions.
Limited high-tech and specialized corporate headquarters sector compared to larger state metros.
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cape Girardeau
#308Missouri, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$995
Avg Salary
$56,680
Cost Index
86
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
St. Louis
#553Missouri, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
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