Whether you’re building a career, retiring, or simply need a fresh start, St. Louis, MO is worth checking out.
Known as the “Gateway to the West,” this city has much to offer singles and families alike.
It’s a great place to further your education or get your dream job.
You can live on a budget without missing out on the urban perks that make life worthwhile.
Is St. Louis the right place for you?
Let’s find out!
Here are some of the pros and cons of living in this area.
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Pros of Living in St. Louis, MO
About 300,500 people call St. Louis home.
This makes St. Louis the 2nd largest city in the state, surpassed only by Kansas City.
Some of the advantages of living here include:
1. Modest Living Costs
Like many cities in the Midwest, St. Louis is an affordable place to live.
The median home value here is about 50% lower than the nation’s average.
According to BestPlaces.net, groceries, utilities, and healthcare are also cheaper than the U.S. average.
You can live on a budget and still enjoy the big-city amenities that St. Louis has to offer!
That’s incentive enough to put down roots with your family.
2. Reasonable Home Costs
If you plan to buy, you’ll be happy to hear that St. Louis has a diverse housing market.
In 2023, the average price of a home was about $230,000.
The homes here are a mix of historic, classical, Nostalgic, and modern construction.
You can choose from Victorian, Colonial, bungalow, or ranch homes, just to name a few.
Central West End, Tower Grove, and Lafayette Square are some of the top neighborhoods in the city.
3. Robust Economy
St. Louis enjoys a robust economy with ample opportunities for employment.
If you’re willing to work and have a vision for advancing your career, this is the place to be!
Aviation, finance, biotechnology, healthcare, and manufacturing are some of the major industries in the area.
The city headquarters is the Federal Reserve’s Eighth District, making it a hub for banking and financial services.
Fortune 500 companies like Ameren, Edward Jones, Emerson Electric, Centene, and Reinsurance Group of America also call St. Louis home.
4. Excellent College Options
Looking to further your education?
St. Louis has you covered with local colleges that offer exceptional undergrad and graduate programs.
Washington University, Maryville University, and Webster University are located in St. Louis along with the U of Missouri-St. Louis.
Southern Illinois University is but a stone’s throw away across the Illinois-Missouri border.
High school grads don’t have far to go to pursue the degree program of their choice.
Imagine the financial savings of having your kids study close to home.
5. Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The city’s “melting pot” of races and ethnicities makes for a diverse environment.
About 90% of the city’s population is split evenly between Blacks and whites.
The remaining 10% is of Hispanic or Asian origin.
The diverse society in St. Louis enhances the lives of its residents by exposing them to different languages, customs, and norms.
It also encourages acceptance, openness, and helpfulness – qualities that are well-shared by the St. Louis community.
6. Central Location
St. Louis’ central location is a big plus for people who travel.
Using major highways like I-44, I-64, and I-70, you’re within easy reach of Kansas City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville, and other major cities.
Business trips, family gatherings, and weekend getaways will be a breeze.
Lambert International Airport offers a plethora of flights for cross-country or international travel.
Flights from St. Louis can reach the East or West Coast in a matter of hours.
7. Lots of Fun Things to Do
On the recreational side – there’s no shortage of fun things to do in St. Louis!
Outdoor buffs can hike, bike, camp, and fish at Babler, Meramec, or Castlewood State Parks.
Forest Park is the place to go to visit the Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, Muny Opera, Boathouse, and Science Center.
Annual festivals like the Greek Festival and Middle Eastern Festival are always a hit for celebrating cultural diversity.
The Latin community also contributes to the city’s cultural scene through festive celebrations that feature Spanish music and cuisine.
8. Tasty Food
Delicious food is one of the city’s major trademarks.
Here you’ll find the best that local and international cuisine has to offer.
Enjoy a PO-boy from Parkway Restaurant or delectable Italian dishes like Baked Penne or Tortellini at Charlie Gitto’s.
Juniper offers such tasty treats as Fried Chicken sandwiches, Eggs Benedict, Chopped Salad, and Juniper Burgers.
Or you can head over to Pappy’s Smokehouse for the best that Memphis-style BBQ has to offer.
Foodies will find St. Louis a dream come true!
Cons of Living in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis also has some bad aspects that tarnish its reputation.
Some of the cons of living in this Midwestern city are:
1. Low Incomes
Low incomes are a downside of living in St. Louis.
Jobs don’t pay as much here as they do in other parts of the country.
As a result, median household incomes are a third lower than the nation as a whole.
The average household income is roughly $42,000 while personal incomes average around $28,000.
You may find it hard to make ends meet, despite the low cost of living.
2. High Crime Rates
Crime in St. Louis is much higher than you’ll find in other cities.
Property crime is 4X higher than the state average, which is alarming as Missouri’s crime rate is rather high.
In 2019, St. Louis had the highest murder rate of any major city in the country.
These stats prompted CrimeGrade.org to give the city a “D” rating for crime.
Naturally, some areas of St. Louis are worse than others and should be avoided.
Wells-Goodfellow, Old North St. Louis and Peabody-Darst-Webbe are risky neighborhoods with a high volume of crime.
3. Subpar Public Schools
The academic performance of public schools in St. Louis is sorely lacking.
This is evidenced by the below-average test scores of elementary and middle schools in the area.
High school graduation rates are also lower than the national average.
The city’s public school system suffers from insufficient funding and overcrowding.
Student safety is also a serious problem.
Parents moving to the area should consider private schools for educating their children.
4. Limited Public Transport
St. Louis has grown exponentially over the years into a bustling metropolitan area.
The public transport system, however, hasn’t grown with it.
If you’re moving to this area, bring a car!
There is a semblance of a MetroBus system for in-town travel.
And a light rail system for trips to the airport and crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois.
Neither one of these systems, however, is efficient enough to count on.
Fortunately, St. Louis is a walkable city and walking and biking are very popular.
5. Hot, Muggy Summers
St. Louis is known for its hot, muggy summers.
Temperatures in the low 90s can feel like 100+ due to high humidity levels.
If heat isn’t enough, the area’s long growing season can produce high levels of pollen.
If you suffer from allergies, a high pollen count will further aggravate your problem.
Winters aren’t that cold, but the skies stay overcast for weeks at a time which can be depressing.
6. Homelessness
Homelessness is another problem that makes St. Louis an “iffy” place to live.
Low salaries and a shortage of affordable housing contribute to the city’s homelessness problem.
Many people simply can’t afford to pay a mortgage or rent due to a low-paying job.
In some cases, mental health issues hinder people from functioning well enough to hold down a job.
Whatever the cause, homelessness is a threat to public safety and impacts the city’s overall morale.
7. Air Pollution
According to a 2022 American Lung Association report, 40% of Americans live in areas with poor air quality.
St. Louis ranks among the cities with the worst air quality problems in the country.
Dirty air can impact your breathing, causing such issues as asthma, bronchitis, and allergies.
Industrial sources have been cited as the main cause of air pollution in the city.
In early 2023, the EPA ordered a reduction of industrial emissions in the state to help minimize air pollution problems.
8. Poor Governance
Locals are well aware of the problems St. Louis faces with poor governance.
Poor governance has hampered the city’s overall growth and development.
Incompetent city officials and politicians are at the root of the problem.
Business opportunities are often lost due to bureaucratic laws and ordinances that impede progress.
Pros and Cons of Living in St. Louis, MO – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in St. Louis, MO | Cons of Living in St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|
| 1. Modest Living Costs | 1. Low Incomes |
| 2. Reasonable Home Costs | 2. High Crime Rates |
| 3. Robust Economy | 3. Subpar Public Schools |
| 4. Excellent College Options | 4. Limited Public Transport |
| 5. Racial & Ethnic Diversity | 5. Hot, Muggy Summers |
| 6. Central Location | 6. Homelessness |
| 7. Lots of Fun Things to Do | 7. Air Pollution |
| 8. Tasty Food | 8. Poor Governance |
St. Louis Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: St. Louis Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to retire?
St. Louis is an attractive city for singles, families, and retirees alike.
A low cost of living and affordable housing make it easy for retirees to live on their pension.
There’s a lot to see and do in the city to support an active retiree’s lifestyle.
How much do you need to live comfortably in St. Louis, MO?
A family of four could live comfortably on an annual income of roughly $80,000.
For young couples, that figure can drop to as little as $60,000.
This is far less than what it would take to live in other metropolitan cities in the country.
Are there good schools in St. Louis, MO for children?
The public school system isn’t what it should be due to underfunding, overcrowding, and safety issues.
Parents are better off finding a reputable private school to educate their children.
Is St. Louis, MO safe for families?
There are both safe and unsafe neighborhoods in the city.
By avoiding unsafe areas, you reduce your risk of being a crime victim.
Crime is, however, a major problem in this city.
Can you live a high quality of life in St. Louis, MO?
Diversity is a strong point in St. Louis which helps contribute to a high quality of life.
St. Louis is an affordable city with plenty of cultural, artistic, and natural attractions to keep people happy.
It’s also a friendly city where you can feel at home living in a supportive, tight-knit community.
Having lived in St. Louis for several years, I can safely say St. Louis is a place of great character, with a mix of positives and challenges. One major pro that I can personally vouch for is the incredible cultural scene. The city boasts world-class museums, like the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum, and an incredible music scene with venues like The Pageant and the Fabulous Fox Theater. For art and music enthusiasts, this city is a gem!
I had the pleasure of visiting St. Louis last summer, and this article perfectly sums up my experience. One of the standout pros for me was the city’s rich history. Exploring places like the Gateway Arch and the historic Soulard Market was a trip back in time. The architecture in the city, especially around Lafayette Square, is stunning and worth admiring. The food? Insane! The St. Louis-style pizza is unique and delicious, and I still dream about the BBQ I had at Pappy’s Smokehouse. The cons mentioned about transportation and traffic are valid, as I did find it challenging to navigate the city without a car.
I love the Saint Louis Art Museum! It’s probably one of the top 5 museums in the US. There are always new exhibitions and interesting ones at that. It’s a very good idea to check their website before going so you get the most out of the exhibits and events they regularly host.
St. Louis is pretty awesome with so many places to visit from museums, parks (Gateway Arch National Park is amazing), the St. Louis Zoo, Busch Stadium, churches and cathedrals, etc.
I will list out a few of the many things you can do while in St. Louis. Enjoy!
Take the St. Louis Narrated Trolley Tour
A fan of walking? Take the Walking Tour of the Saint Louis Fascinating History
Dinner and a show at The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
A real fan of BBQ? Go for the Private Gastronomy Barbecue Tour in St. Louis
Care for a few scares? The Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour awaits
There’s also St. Louis Ghosts: Gateway Ghouls and Hauntings
Want to let off some steam? BBQ & Bullets at Indoor Shooting Range in St. Louis
Want a bit of unfiltered history? Check out the True Crime Walking Tour in Soulard Neighborhood
Want to discover things without someone around? The Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour is probably a good way to do it
Love biking? You’ll adore the KATY Self-Guided Tours 6-days from Clinton to St. Charles. #1 Tour on the Katy
And there are so many others!