Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Missouri using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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1 / 30#30. Cottleville, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,045
- Population: 5,584
- Median household income: $130,139
- Median home value: $377,900 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,691 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Fort Zumwalt West Middle School (grade A), Fort Zumwalt South Middle School (grade A), Francis Howell Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Whitfield School (grade A+), Saint Louis Priory School (grade A+), The Fulton School (grade A)
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2 / 30#29. University City, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 1,014
- 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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3 / 30#28. Lee's Summit, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 913
- 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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4 / 30#27. Weatherby Lake, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 763
- 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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5 / 30#26. Ellisville, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 482
- Population: 9,914
- Median household income: $104,360
- Median home value: $345,100 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,329 (24% 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+), Whitfield School (grade A+), Saint Louis Priory School (grade A+)
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6 / 30#25. Shrewsbury, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 463
- 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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7 / 30#24. Oakland, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 395
- 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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8 / 30#23. Town and Country, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 391
- 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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9 / 30#22. Parkville, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 368
- 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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10 / 30#21. Maryland Heights, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 297
- 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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11 / 30#20. Crestwood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 294
- Population: 12,315
- Median household income: $111,791
- Median home value: $271,400 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,001 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Webster Groves High School (grade A), Clark Elementary School (grade A), Hixson 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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12 / 30#19. Manchester, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 267
- 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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13 / 30#18. Warson Woods, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 244
- 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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14 / 30#17. Maplewood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 237
- 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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15 / 30#16. Clarkson Valley, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 229
- Population: 2,608
- Median household income: $218,816
- Median home value: $796,300 (97% own)
- Median rent: No data available (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: John Burroughs School (grade A+), MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (grade A+), Whitfield School (grade A+)
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16 / 30#15. Frontenac, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 228
- Population: 3,639
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $949,900 (98% own)
- Median rent: $1,707 (2% 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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17 / 30#14. Wildwood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 198
- 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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18 / 30#13. Des Peres, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 145
- Population: 9,140
- Median household income: $214,810
- Median home value: $562,100 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,895 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Parkway West High School (grade A+), Kirkwood Senior High School (grade A+), Parkway West 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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19 / 30#12. Creve Coeur, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 137
- Population: 18,679
- Median household income: $115,120
- Median home value: $529,900 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,424 (37% 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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20 / 30#11. Webster Groves, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 131
- 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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21 / 30#10. Kirkwood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 109
- 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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22 / 30#9. Rock Hill, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 99
- 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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23 / 30#8. Ladue, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 76
- 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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24 / 30#7. Glendale, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 61
- Population: 6,131
- Median household income: $157,750
- Median home value: $463,900 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,855 (3% 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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25 / 30#6. Olivette, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 33
- 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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26 / 30#5. Richmond Heights, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 29
- 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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27 / 30#4. Ballwin, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 25
- Population: 30,948
- Median household income: $118,647
- Median home value: $337,500 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,224 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Parkway West High School (grade A+), Marquette Senior High School (grade A+), Crestview 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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28 / 30#3. Clayton, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 23
- Population: 17,212
- Median household income: $125,829
- Median home value: $812,800 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,570 (46% 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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29 / 30#2. Chesterfield, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 12
- Population: 49,645
- Median household income: $137,052
- Median home value: $437,000 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,405 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Lafayette High School (grade A+), Parkway West High School (grade A+), Parkway Central 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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30 / 30#1. Brentwood, Missouri
- Overall Rank: 10
- Population: 8,173
- Median household income: $89,688
- Median home value: $270,300 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,357 (36% 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+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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