An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Missouri using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
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1 / 30#30. Kirkwood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 175
- Population: 29,309
- Median household income: $107,905
- Median home value: $391,700 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,217 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), North Kirkwood Middle School (grade A), Westchester Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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2 / 30#29. Ladue, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 124
- Population: 8,934
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $938,300 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,814 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Clayton High School (grade A+), Wydown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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3 / 30#28. Lake Waukomis, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 2,211
- Population: 1,021
- Median household income: $112,448
- Median home value: $344,300 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,388 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A), Park Hill High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Pius X High School (grade A minus), Faith Christian Academy (grade A minus), Northland Christian Schools (grade B minus)
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4 / 30#27. Lee's Summit, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,782
- Population: 101,728
- Median household income: $103,447
- Median home value: $291,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,295 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Delta Woods Middle School (grade A), Voy Spears Jr. Elementary School (grade A), Chapel Lakes Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)
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5 / 30#26. Manchester, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 499
- Population: 18,240
- Median household income: $89,153
- Median home value: $288,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,214 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Parkway West High School (grade A+), Pierremont Elementary School (grade A), Henry Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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6 / 30#25. Maplewood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 426
- Population: 8,205
- Median household income: $58,448
- Median home value: $228,300 (42% own)
- Median rent: $845 (58% rent)
- Top public schools: Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), Mark Twain Elementary School (grade A), Webster Groves High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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7 / 30#24. Maryland Heights, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 554
- Population: 28,099
- Median household income: $82,232
- Median home value: $200,100 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,181 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Parkway Central High School (grade A+), McKelvey Elementary School (grade A), Parkway Central Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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8 / 30#23. Oakland, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 738
- Population: 1,633
- Median household income: $107,813
- Median home value: $376,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,435 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), Nipher Middle School (grade A), North Glendale Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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9 / 30#22. O'Fallon, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 2,316
- Population: 91,825
- Median household income: $104,863
- Median home value: $283,600 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,311 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Fort Zumwalt West Middle School (grade A), Twin Chimneys Elementary School (grade A), Fort Zumwalt South Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Whitfield School (grade A+), Saint Louis Priory School (grade A+)
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10 / 30#21. Olivette, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 55
- Population: 8,431
- Median household income: $102,630
- Median home value: $454,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,332 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Spoede Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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11 / 30#20. Parkville, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 692
- Population: 7,669
- Median household income: $166,563
- Median home value: $556,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $891 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Park Hill South High School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools: Maranatha Academy (grade A), Overland Christian Schools (grade A minus), St. Pius X High School (grade A minus)
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12 / 30#19. Richmond Heights, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 48
- Population: 9,186
- Median household income: $94,384
- Median home value: $313,300 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,414 (47% rent)
- Top public schools: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Clayton High School (grade A+), Wydown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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13 / 30#18. Rock Hill, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 158
- Population: 4,728
- Median household income: $85,155
- Median home value: $237,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,219 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Reed Elementary School (grade A+), Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), McGrath Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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14 / 30#17. Shrewsbury, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 878
- Population: 6,352
- Median household income: $82,681
- Median home value: $274,600 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,096 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Webster Groves High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Avery Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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15 / 30#16. Town and Country, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 732
- Population: 11,575
- Median household income: $231,382
- Median home value: $880,900 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,863 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Ladue Fifth Grade Center (grade A+)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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16 / 30#15. University City, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,990
- Population: 34,850
- Median household income: $71,888
- Median home value: $303,600 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,204 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Clayton High School (grade A+), Wydown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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17 / 30#14. Warson Woods, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 446
- Population: 2,107
- Median household income: $190,972
- Median home value: $539,600 (99% own)
- Median rent: $1,450 (1% rent)
- Top public schools: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Reed Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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18 / 30#13. Weatherby Lake, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,447
- Population: 2,422
- Median household income: $164,444
- Median home value: $462,800 (97% own)
- Median rent: $2,036 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Park Hill South High School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Pius X High School (grade A minus), Faith Christian Academy (grade A minus), Northland Christian Schools (grade B minus)
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19 / 30#12. Webster Groves, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 223
- Population: 23,838
- Median household income: $105,930
- Median home value: $355,500 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,524 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), Mark Twain Elementary School (grade A), McGrath Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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20 / 30#11. Wildwood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 351
- Population: 35,276
- Median household income: $147,508
- Median home value: $449,900 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+), Whitfield School (grade A+)
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21 / 30#10. Southampton, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 2,305
- Population: 7,209
- Median household income: $76,027
- Median home value: $219,926 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,007 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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22 / 30#9. Columbia, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 2,248
- Population: 126,172
- Median household income: $60,455
- Median home value: $248,600 (49% own)
- Median rent: $997 (51% rent)
- Top public schools: Rock Bridge High School (grade A), John Warner Middle School (grade A), Mill Creek Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Columbia Independent School (grade A+), Christian Fellowship School (grade A), Heritage Academy (grade B+)
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23 / 30#8. Downtown, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 2,186
- Population: 4,522
- Median household income: $68,750
- Median home value: $230,573 (19% own)
- Median rent: $1,193 (81% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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24 / 30#7. Country Club / Waldo, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 2,150
- Population: 32,865
- Median household income: $125,479
- Median home value: $358,966 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,386 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Lincoln College Preparatory Academy (grade A), Allen Village High School (grade B+), Lincoln College Academy Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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25 / 30#6. Tower Grove East, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,984
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
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26 / 30#5. Hi-Pointe, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,890
- Population: 3,149
- Median household income: $67,511
- Median home value: $236,163 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,019 (57% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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27 / 30#4. Benton Park, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,815
- Population: 3,819
- Median household income: $87,467
- Median home value: $285,802 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,106 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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28 / 30#3. Debaliviere Place, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,548
- Population: 3,277
- Median household income: $62,492
- Median home value: $195,735 (26% own)
- Median rent: $1,038 (74% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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29 / 30#2. Franz Park, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,248
- Population: 5,953
- Median household income: $71,275
- Median home value: $185,317 (54% own)
- Median rent: $955 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
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30 / 30#1. Shaw, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,004
- Population: 6,237
- Median household income: $89,008
- Median home value: $325,218 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Metro High School (grade A), Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience Magnet High School (grade A), Lafayette Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
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