countyscore
26.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Weather & Climate 60.9Lawn Care 53

County Report Card

About St. Louis city, Missouri

Urban Challenges Impact Overall Score

St. Louis City receives a composite score of 26.2, which is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. Intense urban pressures across safety and risk dimensions drive this ranking.

Trailing Missouri Average Metrics

The city's 26.2 score is just over half of the Missouri state average of 50.3. While it serves as a cultural hub, its livability metrics face stiff competition from surrounding suburban areas.

Strong Infrastructure and Urban Access

Reliable water infrastructure is a major asset, earning a score of 86.0. Residents also benefit from moderate tax favorability with a score of 34.7, despite the urban setting.

Critical Safety and Hazard Risks

The city faces extreme challenges with a safety score of 0.7 and a risk score of 1.3. These metrics reflect high crime rates and significant vulnerability to environmental hazards.

The Urban Pioneer's Trade-off

St. Louis City is best for individuals who value metropolitan amenities and solid utilities over physical safety or environmental stability. It offers an affordable entry point to city life for those who prioritize urban culture.

Score breakdown

Tax34.7Cost27.4Safety0.7Health33.4Schools30.7Income25.6Risk1.3Water86Weather60.9
🏛34.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠27.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡0.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤33.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓30.7
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡1.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤60.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱53
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Counties with similar scores

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Geary County
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El Paso County
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Troup County
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Marion County
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26
Cumberland County
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Jim Wells County
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Nearby counties

St. Louis County
Missouri
36.6
St. Clair County
Illinois
41.3
Madison County
Illinois
38.1
St. Charles County
Missouri
48.2
Monroe County
Illinois
58.5
Jersey County
Illinois
53.4
Jefferson County
Missouri
40.4
Calhoun County
Illinois
63

Deep Dives

St. Louis city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Louis city

via TaxByCounty

St. Louis City taxes rank higher nationally

St. Louis City's effective tax rate of 1.045% exceeds the national median of 0.71%, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,935 falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting relatively modest home values ($185,100). This combination reveals a mid-range tax burden when compared to major cities across America.

Third highest rate in Missouri

At 1.045%, St. Louis City's effective rate is 43% higher than Missouri's state average of 0.733%. Only St. Louis County (1.225%) and St. Charles County (1.125%) exceed the city's rate statewide. The median property tax of $1,935 is 62% above the state median of $1,199.

City taxes exceed surrounding counties

St. Louis City's 1.045% rate significantly surpasses St. Francois County (0.749%), Stoddard County (0.654%), and St. Clair County (0.639%), though it falls below St. Louis County at 1.225%. The city's independent tax authority and service provision create a higher burden than suburban alternatives. This differential has historically influenced population movements in the metro area.

Your $185,100 home costs $1,935 yearly

A median-value home in St. Louis City generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,935—or about $161 per month. With mortgage escrow, owners typically pay approximately $2,161 annually. Over a 30-year homeownership period, that's roughly $58,050 in property taxes.

St. Louis City residents can appeal assessments

Many St. Louis City property owners are assessed above fair market value, particularly in neighborhoods where recent home sales indicate lower values. The city assessor's office accepts formal appeals during annual windows. Challenging an overvaluation can yield hundreds of dollars in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Louis city

via CostByCounty

St. Louis City's affordability crisis

St. Louis City renters dedicate 21.2% of income to housing—far exceeding both the national norm and Missouri's 15.6% state average. With $978 monthly rents and a median household income of just $55,279, residents here face the sharpest affordability squeeze among peer counties.

Least affordable county in Missouri

St. Louis City ranks at the bottom of Missouri counties for housing affordability, with a 21.2% rent-to-income ratio that far surpasses the state average. This disparity reflects decades of disinvestment, population loss, and concentrated poverty affecting the city's housing market.

City premium vs. suburban escape

St. Louis City's $978 rent exceeds St. Louis County ($1,164) in absolute terms but devours a far larger income share (21.2% vs. 17.2%) due to lower wages. Nearby suburbs like St. Charles offer better rent-to-income ratios despite similar absolute costs, explaining population outflows.

Housing overshadows other needs

A St. Louis City household earning $55,279 annually ($4,607/month) dedicates $978 to rent or $1,093 to mortgage, consuming 21-24% of gross income. This leaves only $3,500 monthly for all other expenses—a burden that forces difficult trade-offs in healthcare, food, and savings.

Reconsider St. Louis unless income supports it

St. Louis City offers urban amenities and cultural richness but carries the state's worst housing affordability for typical earners, consuming over one-fifth of income. If you earn less than $80,000 annually, explore St. Louis County suburbs or outlying counties for dramatically better cost-of-living ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Louis city

via IncomeByCounty

St. Louis City Income Below National Median

St. Louis city's median household income of $55,279 falls $19,476 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap reflects an urban economy with lower average earning power than the nation overall.

Below Missouri Average, Dense Urban Setting

At $55,279, St. Louis city's median income runs $4,224 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. As Missouri's largest city, it ranks in the lower-middle income tier statewide despite significant economic activity.

City Income Trails Suburban Counties

St. Louis city's $55,279 lags its suburban neighbors: St. Louis County ($81,340), St. Charles County ($102,912), and Ste. Genevieve ($61,310). This urban-suburban income gap reflects broader patterns seen in major U.S. metros.

Housing Costs Consume More Income Here

St. Louis city's rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% is the highest among these eight counties, signaling significant housing affordability pressure. With median home values at $185,100, many residents must allocate over one-fifth of income to housing.

Navigate Urban Wealth Building Strategically

St. Louis city residents facing higher housing costs should explore first-time homebuyer programs and community reinvestment initiatives. Investing in education and job training can unlock higher-wage opportunities in the region's growing sectors.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in St. Louis city

via CrimeByCounty

Urban Challenges in St. Louis City

St. Louis City reports a total crime rate of 8,517.6 per 100K, which is more than triple the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 86.6 reflects a high-density urban environment with significant public safety challenges.

Navigating High-Activity Missouri Districts

The city's crime rate is significantly higher than the Missouri average of 1,926.2 per 100K. Because a single agency reports all data for this jurisdiction, residents should interpret these high figures with specific urban context in mind.

Major Hub Crime Rate Comparisons

As a major metropolitan hub, the city experiences much higher crime rates than surrounding suburban counties like St. Charles. The sheer volume of daily visitors and commuters often inflates the per-capita crime statistics compared to residential neighbors.

Focusing on High Property Crime

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 1,442.2 per 100K, while property crime reaches 7,075.4. Both figures are many times higher than the national averages of 369.8 and 2,015.7, respectively.

Essential Security for City Residents

In high-traffic urban settings, comprehensive home security is a necessary component of daily life. Residents can mitigate property risks by installing modern alarm systems and participating in local neighborhood watch programs.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in St. Louis city

via HealthByCounty

St. Louis City confronts serious health disparities

At 71.5 years, St. Louis City's life expectancy is 3 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, reflecting concentrated poverty and health inequities typical of older industrial cities. With 20.8% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the city sits just below the national average, but the significantly shorter lifespan suggests premature mortality from chronic conditions and preventable causes.

St. Louis City ranks among Missouri's worst

St. Louis City's 71.5-year life expectancy trails Missouri's state average of 74.3 years by 2.8 years, placing it among the lowest-performing counties in the state. At 9.6% uninsured, the city's rate is better than state average (12.5%), yet life expectancy remains poor, pointing to non-insurance barriers like poverty and healthcare system fragmentation.

City lags suburban health outcomes significantly

St. Louis City's 71.5-year life expectancy is 7.6 years below St. Louis County (76.3) and 7.6 years below St. Charles (79.1), revealing stark geographic health inequities within the metro area. Despite having 97 primary care providers and 603 mental health providers per 100K—the highest densities in the region—the city's outcomes lag, highlighting that provider supply alone cannot overcome concentrated poverty and social barriers.

Urban concentration of poverty drives outcomes

St. Louis City has the region's highest provider densities (97 primary care, 603 mental health per 100K), yet the lowest life expectancy, indicating that poverty, housing instability, and transportation challenges outweigh clinical capacity. The 9.6% uninsured rate is better than surrounding counties, but housing crises and food insecurity likely prevent residents from fully benefiting from available care.

Insurance plus community care improves health

St. Louis City residents benefit from dense provider networks, but ensuring insurance coverage removes a critical barrier to accessing them. Enroll in a marketplace plan at Healthcare.gov or visit a local federally qualified health center to pair coverage with culturally competent, neighborhood-based care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in St. Louis city

via SchoolsByCounty

A Diverse Urban Education Ecosystem

St. Louis City operates 111 public schools serving 30,189 students across 18 different districts and organizations. The landscape is unique for its high density of 66 elementary schools and 24 high schools within an entirely urban setting.

Academic Challenges and Investment Needs

The city's graduation rate currently stands at 75.6%, trailing both the state average and the national mark of 87%. However, the per-pupil expenditure of $7,652 remains higher than the Missouri average, reflecting ongoing investment in student success.

A Hub for Charter School Innovation

St. Louis City is Missouri's charter school leader, with 38 charter campuses making up 34.2% of all schools. While the main St. Louis City district serves 18,321 students, large charters like Premier and Confluence Academies educate thousands more.

Urban Learning in a High-Density Setting

All 111 schools are located in urban city environments, with an average school size of 285 students. Premier Charter School is the largest individual campus with 918 students, while specialized academies like McKinley Leadership offer focused curricula.

Exploring School Choice in St. Louis

The city offers an unparalleled variety of charter and traditional public school options for urban home buyers. Families can find unique educational pathways near some of the city's most historic residential neighborhoods.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Louis city

via RiskByCounty

St. Louis City: Among Nation's Highest-Risk

St. Louis City's composite risk score of 98.70 rates as "Relatively High," making it one of America's most hazard-exposed urban centers. Residents face natural disaster risks far exceeding the national average.

Missouri's Most Dangerous Urban Center

At 98.70, St. Louis City nearly doubles Missouri's state average of 50.56, ranking among the state's highest-risk areas. Few Missouri communities face comparable overall disaster exposure.

Comparable Risk to St. Louis County Across River

St. Louis City (98.70) has nearly identical risk to adjacent St. Louis County (99.33), together forming one of America's highest-risk metropolitan areas. Both face severe multi-hazard environments unlike safer surrounding regions.

Tornadoes, Floods, and Earthquakes Triple Threat

St. Louis City confronts extreme tornado risk (98.86), severe flood danger (96.98), and significant earthquake exposure (98.47). This unique triple-hazard combination makes comprehensive disaster planning essential.

Maximum Protection Non-Negotiable Here

St. Louis City residents cannot afford to skip flood, tornado, or earthquake insurance—all three are critical given the city's exceptional hazard exposure. Review your coverage immediately and consider additional protective measures like storm-resistant retrofits.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Louis city

via WeatherByCounty

Urban Heat in the Heartland

St. Louis city averages 58.0°F annually, making it one of the warmer urban environments in the central United States. It consistently sits well above the national median temperature.

One of Missouri's Warmest Spots

The city's 58.0°F average temperature is more than three degrees higher than the Missouri state average. This thermal gap is driven by both its southern location and urban heat island effects.

Hotter Than the Surrounding Suburbs

The city averages 47 days of extreme heat per year, significantly higher than its neighboring rural counties. Its July average of 80.6°F makes it a regional hotspot during the summer months.

Intense Summers and Soft Winters

While specific snowfall data is unavailable, the city's 32.6°F January average suggests shorter freezing periods. Summer is the dominant season, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.

Invest in Heavy-Duty Cooling

With 47 days above 90°F, high-capacity cooling systems are essential for safety and comfort. Residents should also plan for the 43.9 inches of rain that can cause rapid urban runoff.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Louis city

via SoilByCounty

The Urban Soil Frontier

As a highly developed urban area, St. Louis city lacks the traditional taxonomic and pH data found in rural counties. However, its placement in the Mississippi River corridor suggests a historical legacy of rich alluvial deposits.

Built Environments and Modified Earth

Native soil composition percentages for sand and clay are currently unavailable due to extensive urban development. Urban soils here are often a mix of original silt loams and imported fill materials used for city construction.

Cultivating the Urban Forest

While specific organic matter percentages are not recorded, urban gardens often require supplemental compost to reach peak productivity. The city shares the region's overall high potential for plant growth despite the lack of formal AWC data.

Managing Runoff in the City

Drainage in the city is heavily influenced by man-made infrastructure rather than natural soil classes. Gardeners should watch for 'urban karst' or compaction that can lead to localized drainage issues during heavy Missouri storms.

Thriving in a Warmer Zone 7a

The city's concrete heat island effect helps push it into Hardiness Zone 7a, allowing for a longer growing season than surrounding areas. This is a perfect environment for vibrant community gardens and diverse urban landscaping.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Louis city

via LawnByCounty

Urban Challenges for City Lawns

St. Louis city presents a difficult lawn environment with a score of 53.0, trailing well behind the state average of 63.7. The urban heat island effect in Zone 7a creates a unique set of stresses for traditional turf.

Intense Heat and Long Summers

The city endures 47 extreme heat days per year, 10 more than the state average. Combined with 4,703 growing degree days, this means grass grows rapidly but is at high risk of heat stress during July and August.

Invest in Local Soil Testing

Specific soil data is unavailable for the city, making professional soil testing your most important first step. Urban soils are often compacted or vary widely in pH, so adding organic compost can help improve any foundation.

Resilience in an Abnormally Dry Year

The city is currently 100.0% abnormally dry after experiencing 22 weeks of drought last year. Use soaker hoses in your garden beds and turf to deliver water directly to the soil, minimizing evaporation in the city heat.

Heat-Tolerant Varieties are Key

In Zone 7a, heat-tolerant Tall Fescue or even Zoysiagrass are excellent choices for the long, hot summers. Start your project after the early April 1 frost date to maximize the city's extended growing window.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Louis city's county score?
St. Louis city, Missouri has a composite county score of 26.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does St. Louis city rank among counties in Missouri?
St. Louis city ranks #115 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in St. Louis city, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in St. Louis city is $1,935, with an effective tax rate of 1.05%. This earns St. Louis city a tax score of 34.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Louis city?
The median household income in St. Louis city, Missouri is $55,279 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Louis city earns an income score of 25.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Louis city, Missouri a good place to live?
St. Louis city scores 26.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #115 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate St. Louis city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare St. Louis city with other counties side by side.

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.