St. Louis 74 Excellent
St. Louis Livability #57 ranked city in Missouri#4,027 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas

St. Louis, MO - The Gateway to the West

St. Louis, MO, known as 'The Gateway to the West,' offers a unique blend of historic significance and modern urban amenities. Located in eastern Missouri, St. Louis is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Kansas City and Springfield enhance its status as a central point in the region. St. Louis's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

St. Louis is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Gateway Arch, the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Forest Park to the bustling Delmar Loop, known for its shopping and dining. St. Louis's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from St. Louis-style barbecue to international cuisine.

Annual events such as the St. Louis Art Fair and the Fair Saint Louis highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate St. Louis's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Washington University in St. Louis contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in St. Louis is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in St. Louis provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

St. Louis’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) and the St. Louis Blues (NHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in St. Louis include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as BJC HealthCare and Boeing driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient. St. Louis's weather features hot summers and mild winters, allowing for a variety of outdoor activities year-round.

Pros and Cons of Living in St. Louis

PROS
  • Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

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What's it like Living in St. Louis?

St. Louis is a highly populated city located in the state of Missouri. The city has a population of 304,709 residents. In St. Louis, there are 4,936 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Individuals of White (46%) and Black or African American (46%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. In St. Louis, only 38% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in St. Louis is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in St. Louis can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Missouri, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around St. Louis, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living, employment and more.

With a livability score of 74 out of 100, St. Louis is ranked #3,846 in the United States and #52 in Missouri. For each of the livability categories, we see that St. Louis ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). On a less positive note, St. Louis does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

If you're living in St. Louis, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making St. Louis an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in St. Louis are: Gateway Arch, St. Louis Zoo, and City Museum.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their St. Louis apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that St. Louis meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in St. Louis. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in St. Louis are simply unattainable. The median home price for St. Louis homes is $143,700, which is 1.8% higher than the Missouri average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. Louis, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 6.9% higher than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Louis

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How Do You Rate The Livability In St. Louis?

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Compare St. Louis, MO Livability

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      St. Louis transportation information

      Statistic St. Louis Missouri National
      Average one way commute24min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.0%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.5%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.3%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.6%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.6%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The St. Louis, MO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).