City Comparison
St. Peters vs St. Louis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Peters scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Peters
St. Louis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in St. Peters.
| Metric | St. Peters | St. Louis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,568 | $1,439 | +9% |
| Groceries | $400 | $385 | +4% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,488 | $2,389 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Peters offers 60% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Peters delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Peters is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in St. Louis.
| Metric | St. Peters | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 50,562 idx |
| Household Income | $91,637 | $56,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Peters runs warmer on average — a 57.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Peters comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Peters sees 19.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Peters | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Peters | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 27.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of St. Peters.
From a growth perspective, St. Peters is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Peters has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Peters | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,398 | 273,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.42% | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Peters
Advantages
Median household income sits well above national benchmarks at approximately $91,637 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Exceptional public safety profile with violent and property crime rates significantly below the national average.
World-class recreational infrastructure including the 236,000-square-foot St. Peters Rec-Plex and 370 Lakeside Park.
Proximity to major medical centers like Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and associated Siteman Cancer facilities.
Strategic location along Interstate 70 providing smooth transit access into the greater St. Louis metropolitan job market.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with a low transit score, making personal vehicles essential for daily commuting and errands.
Housing inventory can be tight, leading to competitive home purchasing conditions and rising property values.
Limited urban nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, requiring trips into St. Louis for major cultural events.
Modest public transportation infrastructure with minimal fixed-route bus service inside the municipality.
Summer humidity and temperature peaks can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime recreation.
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.
St. Peters
#36Missouri, USA
71.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,568
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
57.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.42%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
82
Business
72
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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