
Best suburbs to live in Missouri based on key factors including median home values for mortgage considerations!
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.
You may also like: Healthy hotspots: The most physically active counties in Missouri
#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)
#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+)
#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+)
#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)
#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+)
You may also like: Best counties to raise a family in Missouri
How Much House Can You Afford? Use This Mortgage Calculator:
Also: Find out how much home you can buy with our Home Affordability Calculator
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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)
8 National Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Homebuyers
Find a mortgage lender that's right for you.=> 8 of the Best National Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Homebuyers
<
#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+)
You may also like: Counties with the lowest cost of living in Missouri
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
You may also like: Where people in Missouri are moving to most
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
Today's Best Mortgage Rates
![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Related: 14 of the Best Mortgage Brokers Nationwide Serving Most States
#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+)
#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+)
You may also like: Best public high schools in Missouri
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
You may also like: Risky reservoirs: Missouri counties where aging dams pose the greatest threat
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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+)
#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.
You may also like: Fastest-growing jobs in Missouri
By Stacker
so lees summit is on the list huh? never thought it’d be a spot to live, but what makes it better than, say, kirkwood? anyone got deets?
I think it’s about the community vibes and schools, Kirkwood’s great too but more pricy I heard.
Because Lee’s Summit has that amazing… something? Honestly couldn’t tell ya, buddy.
Hey Jon Dykstra, nice rundown on the burbs. Curious tho, how does Brentwood grab the top spot? Like what’s so special bout it compared to say, Chesterfield or Clayton?
Brentwood offers a unique blend of lifestyle amenities and convenience to city centers, not to mention the schools are great! Definitely worth the top spot in my book.
list looks rigged, everyone knows the best places are always kept secret. why would chesterfield be #2, somethings off here.
I’ve been thinking of setting roots in Wildwood for the quiet, seems like it’s ranked pretty good here for a balance of peace and connections to the city. Thanks for the info!
So happy to see Webster Groves there! It’s been my dream place to settle. Love the small-town feel. Great article, Jon Dykstra!
Ladue at #8? More like La-don’t unless you’re made of money haha.
Interesting, but how exactly are these rankings decided? Like, what metrics are we looking at? Crime rates, schools, what else?
Interesting list! I’m surprised Overland didn’t make it; thought it had some nice areas too. Maybe just me though.
can someone explain why ballwin is so high up? just curious cuz i’m looking to buy n wanna know if it’s worth it
Uh, no way is Cottleville the worst on this list. Have ya seen the parks there? Plus, the community vibes are strong. This list needs a do-over, Jon. What were the criteria even based on?
Ladue number 8, huh? Heard they got good food spots, might check it out for inspiration
bro, nice to see ballwin getting some love. great gyms and the people are chill. best place for someone like me who lifts but hates city traffic lol.
So excited to see Clayton at #3! Definitely considering it for my next move. The vibe there just feels right.
How is Clayton only #3? That’s where everyone wants to be. This list is off. Should’ve been my top pick. Do better, Jon.
All these suburbs sound the same. nothing beats the city vibe, suburbs are just boring and too quiet for my taste.
Not much talk of the tech scene in these suburbs. Would love to know where the startups are clustering around.
This list gives a good starting point for anyone considering a move to Missouri. It’s always interesting to see how different suburbs compare.
anyone knows how the traffic is in these areas? looking for something not too hectic
So happy to see places like Webster Groves on here, they’ve got that community garden that’s just goals. Shows you can have a suburb that cares about green spaces and still ranks high. Love it!
Wonder if any of these places got legends or ghosts, like real spooky stuff. Haunted Missouri suburbs, anyone?
Would any of these suburbs be good settings for a horror movie? Imagine a creepy story set in idyllic Brentwood.
Brentwood at #1 is a surprise! Must be something special about it. Always thought of it more as a shopping destination.