Living in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is the 80th-largest city in the US, home to about 278,000 people in 2025. It has lost 7.7% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (95.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 278,144-7.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $197,5003.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $997/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $56,160median, per year
- Price level
- 95.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 40° / 90°lows 24° / 71°
- Average commute
- 22 min17% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.7%top rate, graduated
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County: St. Louis city
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 466 ft
Metro area: St. Louis, MO-IL
Cost of living in St. Louis
The median home in St. Louis is worth $197,500 and the median household earns $56,160 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $997 a month, about 21% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area at 95.1, with housing at 79.0 and goods at 100.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $71,300 here. Missouri taxes wages at a top rate of 4.7%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Missouri is 8.44%.
What would my salary be worth in St. Louis?
St. Louis weather
Average highs run from 40°F in January to 90°F in July, and January nights average 24°F. It gets 42 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 17 inches of snow. Expect about 47 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 85 times a year. The most comfortable months are June and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit St. Louis
People and work
The median resident is 36.8 years old, and 41% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 45% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 22 minutes; 17% of workers work from home and 6% take public transit.
- Median age
- 36.8285th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 41%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 45%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,50761.7 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 6%4% walk, 1% bike
- Unemployment
- 5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 20.6%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1938median year
Who moves to St. Louis, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Chicago (Cook County), Columbia (Boone County) and Houston (Harris County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Chicago (Cook County), Houston (Harris County) and Kansas City (Jackson County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for St. Louis County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, heat wave, inland flooding, earthquake.
Home prices
+4.1% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the St. Louis, MO-IL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
31% good days
15 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the St. Louis, MO-IL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near St. Louis
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Busch Stadium 4 miles
- Saint Louis Community College 12 miles
- Saint Louis University in St. Louis
- Maryville University of Saint Louis 14 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near St. Louis
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Lambert International Airport STL | 9 mi | 7,807,362 |
| Scott AFB/Midamerica St Louis Airport BLV | 24 mi | 152,632 |
| Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI | 89 mi | 51,784 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near St. Louis
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis Community College | 12 mi | 11,788 | $2,967 | n/a |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | 17 mi | 8,750 | $13,111 | 56% |
| Washington University in St Louis | 3 mi | 7,857 | $13,360 | 93% |
| Saint Louis University | in town | 7,267 | $29,674 | 79% |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | 14 mi | 5,658 | $20,199 | 62% |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | 5 mi | 5,024 | $14,990 | 62% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in St. Louis
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 2, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 26 and the first frost comes around November 4.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for St Louis Lambert Intl. Airport, MO, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for St. Louis.
Wildfire smoke in St. Louis
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered St. Louis on about 147 days a year, including about 33 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in St. Louis
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 144,891 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in St. Louis
Downtown St. Louis is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 17,933 | 68 | 11.4 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Parkway C-2 School District (16,759 students), Hazelwood School District (16,321 students), Mehlville R-IX School District (10,018 students), Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District (8,809 students), Lindbergh School District (7,602 students), Ritenour School District (6,579 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
St. Louis's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to St. Louis's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Roanoke, VA84% matchCompare
- Cincinnati, OH81% matchCompare
- Wichita, KS78% matchCompare
- High Point, NC71% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near St. Louis
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near St. Louis
- Hidden Valley Ski Area 23 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in St. Louis
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
Cons
- Data The population has shrunk 7.7% since 2020.
St. Louis report card from locals
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St. Louis through locals' eyes
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Cities near St. Louis
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 28 mi | 96,101 | $326,200 | 95.1 | Compare |
| Springfield, IL | 84 mi | 112,989 | $162,100 | 92.7 | Compare |
| Columbia, MO | 114 mi | 130,851 | $284,600 | 89.4 | Compare |
| Bloomington, IL | 145 mi | 78,804 | $203,300 | 93.5 | Compare |
| Champaign, IL | 148 mi | 91,195 | $210,900 | 92.7 | Compare |
| Peoria, IL | 148 mi | 110,920 | $156,200 | 91.2 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Dardenne Prairie, Troy and Town and Country lead our ranking of the best suburbs of St. Louis.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare St. Louis with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Louis a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare St. Louis side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of St. Louis?
The Census Bureau estimates St. Louis had 278,144 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 301,349 in April 2020 (-7.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in St. Louis?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $71,300 in the St. Louis area. The median household here earns $56,160.
When is the best time to visit St. Louis?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, June and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 90°F and January 40°F for daytime highs.
What county is St. Louis in?
St. Louis is in St. Louis city, Missouri. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is St. Louis in?
St. Louis is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of St. Louis?
About 466 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Missouri have a state income tax?
Yes. Missouri has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 4.7% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of St. Louis. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, St Louis Lambert Intl. Airport, MO station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.