Rows tagged local are specific to St. Louis (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from St. Louis, MO. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district 2929280 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
95.0
metro-area
#93 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
98.7
metro-area
#153 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.40
metro-area
#91 of 200
Median household income
$52,941
local
#79 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$40,718
local
#50 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.42%
local
#45 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-5.3%
local
#165 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$174,100
local
#62 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.3×
local
#29 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+2.9%
metro-area
#55 of 200
Price per square foot
$100
local
#72 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,750 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$938
local
#66 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
7,679
Median days on market
6
metro-area
#5 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.3%
state
#58 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.38%
state
#135 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
4.70%
Capital gains tax
4.80%
state
#109 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.08%
local
#131 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,885
local
#106 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$90
state
#74 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.55% of value (~$714/yr)
state
#192 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
15
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#125 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.0¢/kWh
state
#13 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$126
state
#13 of 200
Gasoline
$3.00/gal
state
#24 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$184
state
#187 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$86
state
#182 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#139 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,800
state
#83 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$400
state
#163 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
55
metro-area
#175 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,700
metro-area
#116 of 200
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200
Annual precipitation
41.7"
metro-area
#97 of 200
Annual snowfall
16.6"
metro-area
#118 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
490
state
#153 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,600
state
#157 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
48
metro-area
#111 of 200
Parks
45
Hiking areas
12
Golf courses
31
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
2
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.