Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri are two vibrant American cities that carry significant history and cultural gravitas. Both cities have their distinct appeal but possess different characteristics that may draw or deter potential residents or tourists. They differ on many fronts such as crime rates, weather patterns, living costs, educational opportunities, work environment, economic performance, infrastructural development, industries, employment opportunities, real estate, neighborhoods, transportation options, taxation system, gastronomic culture, sports culture, geographical landscape, and healthcare system. This detailed comparison between the two cities can guide those planning to relocate or visit these cities on what to expect.
Distance between
Memphis, TN and
St. Louis, MO : 243.0 miles
Memphis's population is larger by 114%. Its population has decreased by 21,973 people (3.4%) since 2000. The population of St. Louis has decreased by 54,879 people (15.8%) during that time.
Both Memphis and St. Louis have higher crime rates compared to the national average, with St. Louis often ranking among the cities with the highest crime rate. However, this doesn't mean every area in these cities is inherently dangerous. Both cities have specific neighborhoods known for their safety. Downtown Memphis and Central West End in St. Louis are popular among tourists and generally safer.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,629 registered sex offenders living in Memphis and 2,528 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Memphis is 248 to 1; the ratio in St. Louis is 123 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Memphis than in St. Louis.
Cost of Living
Living in Memphis is generally more affordable than in St. Louis. Housing costs, utilities, groceries, and healthcare are typically lower in Memphis, making it more appealing for those mindful of their budget when considering relocation.
Income Tax
One significant advantage of living in Memphis is the absence of a state income tax. Missouri residents, including those living in St. Louis, must pay state income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes are generally lower in Memphis compared to St. Louis, contributing to the affordability of Memphis housing.
Sales Tax
Tennessee has a higher sales tax than Missouri, which might increase the cost of goods in Memphis. However, St. Louis also imposes a 1% earnings tax on residents and out-of-town workers.
Income
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Estimated median household income
$44,317
$49,965
Estimated per capita income
$28,571
$33,810
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.5
96.5
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $56,433 in St. Louis to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Both cities sit along mighty rivers: the Mississippi coursing past Memphis and the Missouri and Mississippi framing St. Louis, providing scenic riverfronts. They are mostly flat but St. Louis has more rolling terrain.
Both cities have quality educational institutions, but St. Louis surpasses Memphis by hosting world-renowned universities like Washington University. Memphis, despite having fewer prestigious institutions, boasts unique arts-focused schools.
St. Louis has a diversified economy with a strong presence in the service, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and tourism sectors, while Memphis is a vital national logistics and transportation hub known for industries like shipping, transportation, and healthcare.
Biggest Employers
In Memphis, FedEx, International Paper, and AutoZone are some of the biggest employers. In St. Louis, BJC HealthCare, Washington University, and Boeing Defense, Space & Security employ thousands.
In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In St. Louis (St. Louis city), 82.4% voted for Democrats and 15.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
2020
64.8%
82.4%
34.2%
16.1%
1.1%
1.6%
2016
62.3%
79.0%
34.7%
15.8%
3.1%
5.2%
2012
62.9%
82.4%
36.7%
15.9%
0.4%
1.6%
2008
63.8%
83.8%
36.2%
15.5%
0.0%
0.7%
2004
57.7%
80.4%
42.0%
19.2%
0.3%
0.3%
2000
56.8%
77.5%
42.3%
19.9%
0.9%
2.6%
1996
78.9%
74.8%
19.6%
18.1%
1.5%
7.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.8%
2.5%
15.1%
9.0%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6.5%
15.4%
2.7%
9.5%
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1.5%
0.0%
0.7%
0.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.5%
1.8%
1.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
1.1%
0.8%
2.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
2.2%
1.0%
6.1%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.2%
0.6%
1.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
0.9%
0.5%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.3%
1.8%
0.6%
2.4%
Weather
Memphis experiences a typical humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild to chilly winters. St. Louis has a similar climate, but experiences a wider range of temperatures, with hotter summers and colder winters.
Weather and climate
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Temperature - Average
61.9°F
56.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
74.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
32%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
53%
Precipitation - Yearly average
54.3 in
39 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
8.6 in
37.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.7%
16.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
68.7%
62.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
30%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
71%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
41%
Wind speed - Average
8.8 mph
9.8 mph
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Average climate in St. Louis, Missouri
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
Memphis
St. Louis
2018
81
101
0.24
0.26
10.4
10.7
27.1
27.5
N/A
N/A
19.0
19.7
8.1
9.8
0.4
0.8
2017
74
90
0.24
0.25
10.2
10.4
28.1
28.5
N/A
N/A
17.5
16.2
7.9
8.0
0.3
1.4
2016
76
96
0.24
0.29
10.2
11.1
28.8
25.8
N/A
N/A
19.6
15.5
8.5
8.5
0.9
1.2
2015
77
97
0.26
0.28
11.1
11.8
26.9
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.6
9.2
10.5
1.0
1.6
2014
75
97
0.27
0.27
10.1
12.2
26.5
25.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.8
9.9
10.5
1.3
1.8
2013
74
92
0.31
0.27
8.3
12.2
26.6
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.3
10.2
10.6
1.0
2.1
2012
94
114
0.32
0.27
9.3
14.4
29.7
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.5
10.7
10.2
0.6
2.3
2011
93
107
0.34
0.27
10.0
13.2
29.0
27.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.3
11.1
12.4
0.5
2.7
2010
95
110
0.43
0.31
10.3
12.8
27.9
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.2
12.9
12.9
N/A
3.3
2009
86
101
0.35
0.31
8.7
12.5
24.9
22.2
0.039
N/A
N/A
21.6
11.8
12.4
N/A
2.8
2008
94
98
0.36
0.32
10.3
12.9
26.3
22.9
0.054
N/A
N/A
32.4
13.2
12.8
N/A
2.6
2007
106
125
0.47
0.37
11.2
14.1
26.7
24.3
0.055
N/A
N/A
38.8
14.8
14.6
5.6
2.9
2006
108
109
0.43
0.38
13.0
15.2
26.8
23.3
0.044
N/A
N/A
38.2
14.7
14.7
6.3
3.1
2005
110
110
0.46
0.39
10.1
16.3
26.9
24.4
0.056
N/A
N/A
41.4
17.9
N/A
4.9
4.1
2004
98
92
0.51
0.49
N/A
20.0
24.9
19.6
0.013
N/A
N/A
38.3
14.5
N/A
5.9
3.7
2003
110
106
0.57
0.49
20.1
19.6
25.3
21.7
0.044
N/A
N/A
37.8
15.0
N/A
5.8
3.7
2002
110
117
0.58
0.56
20.4
21.7
25.1
21.1
0.022
N/A
15.6
45.4
N/A
N/A
4.5
4.4
2001
111
100
0.66
0.57
24.7
22.4
26.0
20.4
0.057
N/A
22.7
46.6
N/A
N/A
6.1
5.0
2000
103
98
0.63
0.78
25.2
23.8
26.2
20.6
0.057
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
5.5
Natural disasters
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
198.6%
182.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
474%
413.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
0%
Transportation
St. Louis provides more efficient public transportation, including extensive bus and light rail systems. Memphis, on the other hand, is more car-dependent, albeit it does offer bus service and a trolley system downtown.
Transport
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
2
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
52
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Bicycle
0%
0.5%
Bus
0.4%
3.7%
Carpooled
7.5%
7.5%
Car alone
88.8%
83.9%
Railroad
0%
0.3%
Streetcar
0%
0.2%
Subway
0%
0.3%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.3%
Walked
1.2%
2.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Average
27 min
29.4 min
Other means
22.5 min
22.9 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
42.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.9%
91.6%
In 2 person carpool
7.9%
6.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.6%
1%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.7%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market is generally more affordable in Memphis. Homeownership is attainable for many due to the lower average home prices compared to St. Louis.
Neighborhoods
Memphis neighborhoods like Midtown and East Memphis offer a suburban feel, while Downtown offers a bustling urban environment. St. Louis has the lively Central West End, historic Soulard, and family-friendly Richmond Heights.
Houses and residents
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
Houses
288,491
173,493
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.2
Median year apartment built
1972
1943
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.2 years
14.2 years
Houses occupied
256,968 (89.1%)
139,736 (80.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
119,622 (46.6%)
63,653 (45.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
137,346 (53.4%)
76,083 (54.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$760.83
$923.98
Median monthly housing costs
$967
$883
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$201,932
$56,913
Estimated median house or condo value
$142,800
$170,800
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
4.8
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.8
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
5.9
Median house price - detached houses
$205,904
$196,007
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$166,673
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$145,165
$155,363
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$201,411
$260,843
Median house price - mobile homes
$93,577
$35,054
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$170,154
$272,667
Median house price - All housing units
$204,886
$200,041
Median house age
52
2,021
Renting percentage
48.1%
54.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,032.8
2,801.7
House value disparities
44.1%
38.7%
Household income disparities
48.2%
48.3%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$72,611
$87,762
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$53,615
$55,824
Housing units without a mortgage
1,461 (2%)
1,236 (2.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,970 (5.4%)
2,537 (6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
71,386 (98%)
41,018 (97.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
322 (0.4%)
188 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,907 (8.1%)
3,349 (7.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
2
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
5.7%
9.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
4.6%
5.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Memphis
St. Louis
One, detached
61.0%
43.2%
One, attached
5.8%
4.1%
Two
2.1%
14.2%
3 or 4
7.4%
13.5%
5 to 9
9.1%
4.9%
10 to 19
5.6%
2.2%
20 to 49
1.8%
3.8%
50 or more
6.2%
13.5%
Mobile homes
0.8%
0.5%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,111
8,126
State government workers
7,650
2,962
Unpaid family workers
668
315
Industries and Occupations
Both cities offer numerous employment opportunities but differ in focus. Memphis is driven by transportation, logistics, healthcare, and professional services while St. Louis excels in healthcare, education, and financial services.
St. Louis boasts a robust healthcare infrastructure, with many top-ranked hospitals. Memphis doesn’t fall behind with facilitites such as the Baptist Memorial Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Memphis
St. Louis
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
St. Louis features a blend of historic and modern architecture while Memphis has prioritized redevelopment in recent years. Both have ample parks and leisure facilities, but St. Louis edges out slightly in terms of infrastructural development.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Memphis
St. Louis
1999
2,195
0
2000
2,406
0
2001
1,775
0
2002
1,444
0
2003
2,116
1,583
2004
3,266
2,101
2005
4,730
2,853
2006
5,833
3,391
2007
3,559
2,022
2008
1,174
841
2009
345
247
Culture and Food
Both cities have a rich cultural and culinary scene. Memphis is famous for its music (particularly blues) and barbecue, while St. Louis is known for its unique cuisines like gooey butter cake, toasted ravioli, and St. Louis-style pizza.
Sports Teams
Both cities are passionate about sports. Memphis has the Grizzlies (NBA) and the Redbirds (AAA Baseball), while St. Louis boasts the Cardinals (MLB), the Blues (NHL), and STL City SC (MLS).
Memphis, TN
St. Louis, MO
Memphis, TN and 
St. Louis, MO : 243.0 miles
