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Best suburbs in St. Louis

Written by:
April 25, 2024
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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.

Family with two children walking on pedestrian bridge in city park.
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imtmphoto // Shutterstock

#25. Ellisville, Missouri

- Population: 9,914
- 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−
Father gives son ride on his shoulders outside of house.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#24. Shrewsbury, Missouri

- Population: 6,352
- 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−
Shot of young couple with son playing in park.
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Josep Suria // Shutterstock

#23. Oakland, Missouri

- Population: 1,633
- 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−
Cropped portrait of cheerful family playing soccer.
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BAZA Production // Shutterstock

#22. Town and Country, Missouri

- Population: 11,575
- 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−
Two happy girlfriends looking in a shop window.
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RossHelen // Shutterstock

#21. Maryland Heights, Missouri

- Population: 28,099
- 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−
Young happy women shopping for vegetables and fruits.
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NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#20. Crestwood, Missouri

- Population: 12,315
- 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−
Couple in business clothes leaving home for work.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Manchester, Missouri

- Population: 18,240
- 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−
Mother and children playing basketball on driveway.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Warson Woods, Missouri

- Population: 2,107
- 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−
Customers enjoying meals in busy restaurant.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17. Maplewood, Missouri

- Population: 8,205
- 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−
Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Clarkson Valley, Missouri

- Population: 2,608
- 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−
Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
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oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#15. Frontenac, Missouri

- Population: 3,639
- 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−
Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
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Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Wildwood, Missouri

- Population: 35,276
- 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−
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
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YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. Des Peres, Missouri

- Population: 9,140
- 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−
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#12. Creve Coeur, Missouri

- Population: 18,679
- 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−
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Webster Groves, Missouri

- Population: 23,838
- 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−
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Kirkwood, Missouri

- Population: 29,309
- 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−
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
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Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Rock Hill, Missouri

- Population: 4,728
- 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−
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Ladue, Missouri

- Population: 8,934
- 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−
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Glendale, Missouri

- Population: 6,131
- 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−
A family playing soccer together.
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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Olivette, Missouri

- Population: 8,431
- 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−
Happy young family sitting in a park.
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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Richmond Heights, Missouri

- Population: 9,186
- 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−
Happy family in backyard with dog.
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Ballwin, Missouri

- Population: 30,948
- 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−
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
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F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Clayton, Missouri

- Population: 17,212
- 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−
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Chesterfield, Missouri

- Population: 49,645
- 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−
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Brentwood, Missouri

- Population: 8,173
- 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.

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