The Average Rent in St. Louis
St. Louis, located along the Mississippi River in Missouri, is a diverse urban city with historical roots and a dedication to the arts and community.
Founded in 1764 as a pioneering border hub, Saint-Louis is known as “the gateway to the West”. The iconic Gateway Arch stands on the riverside in the heart of the city in homage to its origins.
St. Louis has a distinctive and impressive dedication to its residents. You’ll find it in the wide variety of neighborhoods here. Many of these areas include unique amenities or proximity to the best attractions and places that St. Louis has to offer.
Before you settle in, you take a look at the average rent in Saint-Louis before moving to this beautiful city.
What is the average rent in Saint-Louis?
The average rent in Saint-Louis is $ 1,806 for a one-bedroom apartment. Trending slightly down to 0.98% from a year ago, ongoing efforts to keep Saint-Louis prosperous are keeping the town moving forward.
Compared to the average rent in the United States of $ 1,610, the average rent in St. Louis will cost you a little over 12% more.
How much do I have to earn to live in Saint-Louis?
When it comes to living in Saint-Louis, it’s important to calculate your rental costs. Experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your pre-tax income on housing.
Using the average one-bedroom apartment as a guide, renters in St. Louis are expected to earn $ 72,240 to live comfortably. With so many neighborhoods, there is a lot of variety available in St. Louis at all prices.
Use our rent calculator to find the best apartment that fits your budget.
The cost of living in Saint-Louis
The cost of living in Saint-Louis is 12% lower than the national average. Not only are daily expenses more affordable in St. Louis, but there are also some free and inexpensive deals here that aren’t available in any other city in the United States. The drop in the cost of living also has an impact on the average rent in Saint-Louis.
Let’s compare some daily expenses you can expect here in Saint-Louis:
- Housing: The cost of housing in Saint-Louis is 28.7% lower than the national average
- Health care: The cost of health care in Saint-Louis is 10.9% lower than the national average
- Transport: The cost of transport in Saint-Louis is 10.6% lower than the national average
- Miscellaneous goods and services: Cost of miscellaneous goods and services in Saint-Louis is 7% lower than the national average
- Utilities: The cost of utilities in Saint-Louis is 3.5% lower than the national average
- Races: The cost of shopping in Saint-Louis is 1.5% higher than the national average
With only groceries costing more than the national average, renters can live high quality lives without breaking the bank in St. Louis.
The most expensive and cheapest districts of Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis has a deeply rooted history that is easy to spot when exploring its neighborhoods.
Proximity to local hot spots, such as Forest Park or Ballpark Village, offers great rates coinciding with convenience. Neighborhoods with fewer attractions or amenities nearby can save you money. We will break down the average rent in Saint-Louis according to individual neighborhoods.
With many unique areas to choose from, average rental prices in St. Louis can help narrow down the field and help you find good options.
The most expensive districts of Saint-Louis
The residents of St. Louis are avid fans of entertainment, festivals and food. In the more expensive neighborhoods, all three are within walking distance of every door.
Wrapped around the northeast corner of Forest Park, the who’s-who of St. Louis has taken up residence in the Central West End. This great neighborhood is a beautifully landscaped gem with two Metrolink light rail stops, easy access to the bordering highway, and access to the top-notch hospital complex within its border. With all the Central West End has to offer, it’s no surprise that it tops the list for demand, as well as price.
There are many other neighborhoods in Saint-Louis that will bring you the best of our city at the top of the price and amenities list. More than the home of Anheuser-Busch, the historic Soulard district has an upscale open-air market and hosts a Mardi Gras festival like no other with its lively scene of bars and restaurants.
Steeped in rich Irish-American history, Dogtown is a hip, family-friendly community. This area is home to a traditional St. Patrick’s Day festival.
Forest Park Southeast, Northampton, and Clayton-Tamm are great options for those looking for the best of the city.
A family neighborhood in St. Louis is easy to find. For example, several wonderful neighborhoods, such as Dutchtown or Holly Hills, with its own popular Carondelet Park, are havens for children and parents.
Over time, the district of Bevo Mill has evolved into a vibrant Bosnian community, earning a new nickname, “Little Bosnia”. The Hill neighborhood has similarly developed as home to incredible Italian-American bakeries, restaurants, and pétanque clubs.
Meanwhile, exploring historic neighborhoods such as Tower Grove South, South Grand, and the Shaw will reveal stunningly gorgeous homes and gardens around Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The cheapest districts of Saint-Louis
If you are looking for an affordable price, there are some great options like DeBaliviere Place. This area is home to some of Saint-Louis’ most historic homes, two swimming pools and a tennis court for residents. As restoration efforts are in full swing, this neighborhood is clearly booming and appealing to young professionals thanks to its proximity to Forest Park, the University of Washington, and its Metrolink light rail stop.
For free-spirited artists, the Lafayette Square loft community regularly hosts festivals and activities in Lafayette Park.
Close to downtown, Columbus Square is a very affordable option. Most importantly, it’s just north of the hustle and bustle – Columbus Square is only three or four blocks from the bustling Washington Avenue business district.
Just steps from the popular Central West End, you’ll find two increasingly popular neighborhoods: the Midtown, which includes Saint Louis University, and the Grand Center, which houses the Museum of Contemporary Art to the immediate north. Fortunately, these two affordable communities are great options for students, artists, and young professionals.
Average rental prices in the districts of Saint-Louis
With so many great options based on the average rent in St. Louis, we’ve put together a list of all the neighborhoods to help you decide which one is best for your lifestyle and budget.
* May not be a true representation of the market due to insufficient inventory
Find your Saint-Louis neighborhood
Finding the perfect place to call home is quite an adventure in this city. Rest assured, no matter your budget or your lifestyle, there is a good neighborhood in Saint-Louis for you.
So when you are ready to find the best apartment or a big house, the West Gate awaits you to welcome you.
Average rental prices in Indianapolis are based on an Apartment Guide moving weighted average and Rent.com’s multi-family rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments. The data was pulled in May 2021 and goes back a year. We use a weighted average formula that more accurately represents the price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rental prices in specific markets.
Neighborhoods with insufficient inventory were excluded.
Data on the cost of living come from the Community and Economic Research Council.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustration purposes only. The data contained in this document does not constitute financial advice or a price guarantee for an apartment.
