St Louis, MO

St Louis MO scores 75/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 16% above the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: overall crime index 116 (100 = avg); violent crime index 125; property crime index 107. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

Campus scores in the report: St Louis Elementary (elementary) at 7/10; St Louis Middle School (middle) at 7/10; St Louis High School (high) at 8/10. On this 10-point scale, 7 is solidly middle; 9 is a standout.

District picture: about B+ (above average) · Top 35% statewide. Student-teacher staffing: 16:1. If schools drive your move, compare the specific campuses that serve your target address against statewide peers.

Typical rent in St Louis is about $1,218/month (moderate). At $1,218/month for a typical unit, you need about $43,848+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $174,100.

Median household income is $52,941, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($52,941) clears the $43,848 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 79°F (highs near 89°F, lows near 68°F).

Most of the year is outdoor-friendly; peak summer still needs AC for comfort. Cooling costs matter more than heating for most of the year. If you visit, go in late summer so you feel the heat, not just a mild weekend.

Who tends to thrive in St Louis: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 75/100) (2) Renters who want $1,218/month housing without coastal prices (comfort income is about $43,848) (3) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 75/100) (4) Households earning $43,848+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,218/month

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Households expecting top marks on rent, safety, and schools at once (St Louis does not clear every bar) (2) People who will not research ZIP-level crime and school maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $43,848 household income for $1,218/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

St Louis MO is a yes only if you can live with the main downside below. Otherwise skip it.

The strongest upside is housing cost: typical rent near $1,218/month keeps the comfort income line around $43,848.

The biggest practical risk is still housing: confirm you can carry $1,218/month plus utilities before you sign.