Best suburbs in St. Louis
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in St. Louis. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in St. Louis.
#25. Ellisville, Missouri
- Median home value: $345,100
- Median rental price: $1,329
- Top schools nearby: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Whitfield School (grade A+), Saint Louis Priory School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#24. Shrewsbury, Missouri
- Median home value: $274,600
- Median rental price: $1,096
- Top schools nearby: 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 nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#23. Oakland, Missouri
- Median home value: $376,700
- Median rental price: $1,435
- Top schools nearby: Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), Nipher Middle School (grade A), North Glendale Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#22. Town and Country, Missouri
- Median home value: $880,900
- Median rental price: $1,863
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Ladue Fifth Grade Center (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#21. Maryland Heights, Missouri
- Median home value: $200,100
- Median rental price: $1,181
- Top schools nearby: Parkway Central High School (grade A+), McKelvey Elementary School (grade A), Parkway Central Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#20. Crestwood, Missouri
- Median home value: $271,400
- Median rental price: $1,001
- Top schools nearby: Webster Groves High School (grade A), Clark Elementary School (grade A), Hixson Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#19. Manchester, Missouri
- Median home value: $288,800
- Median rental price: $1,214
- Top schools nearby: Parkway West High School (grade A+), Pierremont Elementary School (grade A), Henry Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#18. Warson Woods, Missouri
- Median home value: $539,600
- Median rental price: $1,450
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Reed Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#17. Maplewood, Missouri
- Median home value: $228,300
- Median rental price: $845
- Top schools nearby: Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), Mark Twain Elementary School (grade A), Webster Groves High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#16. Clarkson Valley, Missouri
- Median home value: $796,300
- Median rental price: $No data available
- Top schools nearby: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Whitfield School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#15. Frontenac, Missouri
- Median home value: $949,900
- Median rental price: $1,707
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Spoede Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#14. Wildwood, Missouri
- Median home value: $449,900
- Median rental price: $1,396
- Top schools nearby: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+), Whitfield School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#13. Des Peres, Missouri
- Median home value: $562,100
- Median rental price: $1,895
- Top schools nearby: Parkway West High School (grade A+), Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), Parkway West Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#12. Creve Coeur, Missouri
- Median home value: $529,900
- Median rental price: $1,424
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Spoede Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#11. Webster Groves, Missouri
- Median home value: $355,500
- Median rental price: $1,524
- Top schools nearby: Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), Mark Twain Elementary School (grade A), McGrath Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#10. Kirkwood, Missouri
- Median home value: $391,700
- Median rental price: $1,217
- Top schools nearby: Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), North Kirkwood Middle School (grade A), Westchester Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#9. Rock Hill, Missouri
- Median home value: $237,800
- Median rental price: $1,219
- Top schools nearby: Reed Elementary School (grade A+), Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), McGrath Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#8. Ladue, Missouri
- Median home value: $938,300
- Median rental price: $1,814
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Clayton High School (grade A+), Wydown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. Glendale, Missouri
- Median home value: $463,900
- Median rental price: $1,855
- Top schools nearby: Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), Nipher Middle School (grade A), North Glendale Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#6. Olivette, Missouri
- Median home value: $454,400
- Median rental price: $1,332
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Conway Elementary School (grade A+), Spoede Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#5. Richmond Heights, Missouri
- Median home value: $313,300
- Median rental price: $1,414
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Clayton High School (grade A+), Wydown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#4. Ballwin, Missouri
- Median home value: $337,500
- Median rental price: $1,224
- Top schools nearby: Parkway West High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#3. Clayton, Missouri
- Median home value: $812,800
- Median rental price: $1,570
- Top schools nearby: Ladue Horton Watkins High School (grade A+), Clayton High School (grade A+), Wydown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#2. Chesterfield, Missouri
- Median home value: $437,000
- Median rental price: $1,405
- Top schools nearby: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Parkway West High School (grade A+), Parkway Central High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#1. Brentwood, Missouri
- Median home value: $270,300
- Median rental price: $1,357
- Top schools nearby: Brentwood Middle School (grade A+), Mark Twain Elementary School (grade A), McGrath Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Thomas Jefferson School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.