St. Louis, MOBest Places To Live in the U.S. in 2023
From the iconic Gateway Arch to the beloved Cardinals, St. Louis has a one-of-a-kind community with renowned museums, diverse neighborhoods and a dynamic economy, all at an affordable price.
More About Living in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO, Is One of the Best Cities To Live in America
Outside of the nation’s capital, St. Louis, MO, claims to boast more free major attractions than anywhere in the United States. Locals and visitors have admission-free entry to places like the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri History Museum and many more spots, and the accessibility of these amenities is just one reason St. Louis is one of the best places to live in the U.S.
In the realm of careers, St. Louis has established itself as a leader in health sciences and services, though the area has a strong tradition of leadership in transportation and logistics. It’s also an emerging hot spot for financial services and investment advisors. In recent years, St. Louis has carved out a reputation as a tech hotspot, drawing tech companies, remote workers and entrepreneurs eager to join (and grow) the innovative, creative tech scene here.
In every corner of the city, you’ll find creative, driven people actively working to make St. Louis the best city it can be – and their hard work is paying off. Some more things that make St. Louis special are the 630-foot tall landmark Gateway Arch, Cardinals baseball, an outdoor summer Shakespeare festival and a bonafide beer scene, with the city being home to Anheuser-Busch as well as smaller craft breweries.
St. Louis, MO Quality of Life LivScore
St. Louis, MO Top Categories
Amenities
Housing & Cost of Living
Transportation
St. Louis ranks highest for amenities, housing and transportation.
Weather and Outdoor Activities in St. Louis, MO
Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold. The average highs and lows are 88°F and 69°F (summer) and 43°F and 26°F (winter).
The average annual snowfall in St. Louis is around 18 inches, and the highest likelihood of snowfall is in January and February.
The average annual rainfall in St. Louis is 41 inches, with May being the wettest month.
St. Louis averages 201 sunny days a year.
Take a riverboat cruise along the Mighty Mississippi River. Or spend some time on dry land at one of the city’s numerous parks, including Forest Park, Gateway Arch National Park and Citygarden.
St. Louis Weather
201 days
Average Annual Sun
41 inches
Average Annual Rain
18 inches
Average Annual Snow
Things To Do in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis sports fans mean business, and for a good reason. The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most successful franchises in MLB history. The Cardinals have won 11 World Series Championships (the most of any team in the National League!) and a dozen Central Division titles.
St. Louis has more free major tourist attractions than any other city in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C., so there are plenty of free things to do to pick from. Entry is free to the Saint Louis Zoo, home to 16,000 animals, but do bring some money to ride the carousel.
Don’t be surprised if you leave and your child’s new favorite subject is science. The Saint Louis Science Center has all kinds of awesome exhibits and attractions, like a virtual reality transporter and more than 100,000 “artifacts of wonder.”
Baileys’ Chocolate Bar has a “Lover’s Plate” sampling of signature desserts like strawberry kisses and bourbon caramel corn banana brûlée.
The Local and State Economy in St. Louis, MO
Health care, financial services and manufacturing are key industries in St. Louis. Additionally, St. Louis is the world headquarters for more than a dozen Fortune 1000 companies, including Anheuser-Busch, Emerson Electric, Enterprise Holdings and Nestlé Purina PetCare.
In 2023, the sales tax rate in St. Louis is 11.68%.
Yes, Missouri has a state income tax.
St. Louis is home to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, one of the most highly rated hospitals in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. In addition to having one of the nation’s best obstetrics and gynecology programs, Barnes-Jewish also ranks highly in 10 other adult specialties, high performing in one specialty and high performing in 20 different procedures and conditions. Other top providers include the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital-St. Lewis and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
There are several colleges and universities in St. Louis, including Washington University, Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Quick Facts About St. Louis, MO
- Median Household Income
- $49,342
- Median Home Value
- $176,909
- Average State Property Tax
- $1,676
- Total Population
- 290,178
- Median Rent/Mo.
- $695
- Average Commute
- 18.65 minutes
St. Louis is one of the best places to live in the U.S. for its diverse amenities and solid performance in the housing and cost of living categories. Learn more about living in St. Louis, and discover the city’s excellent business environment. Another good resource as you consider a move: The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Place To Live.
