
Ladue is often considered the heart of old-money wealth in the St. Louis area. Large estate homes along Ladue Road and Warson Road sit on lands covered with large trees with gated entrances and private drives. Plaza Frontenac, located at 1701 S Lindbergh Blvd, is a luxury shopping destination featuring high-end brands like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Families are drawn to the highly rated Ladue School District and private schools such as John Burroughs School. Median home prices regularly cross $1.5M, placing Ladue among the most expensive places to live in Missouri.
Ladue is often considered the heart of old-money wealth in the St. Louis area. Large estate homes along Ladue Road and Warson Road sit on lands covered with large trees with gated entrances and private drives. Plaza Frontenac, loc...
Personal Safety : 22
Property Safety : 42
Community Safety : 48
$1,900,000
Median Home Rent
$2,870

Frontenac combines luxury shopping, upscale homes, and convenient access to downtown St. Louis. Residents often spend weekends shopping at stores like Tiffany & Co. or dining at refined restaurants inside Plaza Frontenac. Many homes near Lindbergh Boulevard and Conway Road feature spacious floor plans, custom architecture, and large private lots. The area is also known for its fine dining, luxury retail, private clubs, and access to top-rated hospitals along the central corridor. Frontenac's luxury real estate market remains highly competitive, with premium homes often selling quickly due to strong demand and limited inventory.
Frontenac combines luxury shopping, upscale homes, and convenient access to downtown St. Louis. Residents often spend weekends shopping at stores like Tiffany & Co. or dining at refined restaurants inside Plaza Frontenac. Many hom...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 68
Community Safety : 90
$1,695,000
Median Home Rent
$4,357

Westwood may be small in size, but it remains one of the wealthiest zip codes in Missouri. Quiet streets, custom homes, and mature trees give it a relaxed sense of privacy. Country Club Plaza is just minutes away for upscale dining and shopping. People spend their weekends browsing the Fairway Shops or grabbing a meal along State Line Road with neighbors. Housing inventory stays extremely limited, and property values reflect that consistently. Westwood remains one of the richest cities in Missouri, with median household incomes far above the state average.
Westwood may be small in size, but it remains one of the wealthiest zip codes in Missouri. Quiet streets, custom homes, and mature trees give it a relaxed sense of privacy. Country Club Plaza is just minutes away for upscale dinin...
Personal Safety : 42
Property Safety : 40
Community Safety : 47
$2,250,000
Median Home Rent
$2,800

Clarkson Valley sits quietly among rolling hills west of St. Louis and draws buyers who value privacy above everything else. Large luxury properties and tree-lined roads give the area a secluded feel that is rare this close to the city. Homes near Forest Hills Country Club often feature golf course views, expansive layouts, and custom architecture that justify the area's premium home prices. Residents also benefit from quick access to Chesterfield Valley shopping and everyday conveniences just a short drive away. Multi-acre estates and custom-built homes have helped make Clarkson Valley one of the wealthiest cities in Missouri.
Clarkson Valley sits quietly among rolling hills west of St. Louis and draws buyers who value privacy above everything else. Large luxury properties and tree-lined roads give the area a secluded feel that is rare this close to the...
Personal Safety : N/A
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : N/A
$1,145,000
Median Home Rent
$5,000

Clayton works as both a luxury residential area and one of the most important business districts in the St. Louis region. High-rise condos near Carondelet Plaza put executives within walking distance of restaurants, law firms, and financial offices. Shaw Park sits right in the center of the city and gives residents a welcome dose of green space. Luxury apartments and historic homes here sell around $1M, which is quite high. Strong demand keeps pushing values higher. This is the reason Clayton stands firmly among Missouri's most expensive and sought-after cities.
Clayton works as both a luxury residential area and one of the most important business districts in the St. Louis region. High-rise condos near Carondelet Plaza put executives within walking distance of restaurants, law firms, and...
Personal Safety : 96
Property Safety : 70
Community Safety : 65
$945,700
Median Home Rent
$1,650

Life in Lake Winnebago centers around waterfront living, boating, and private lake access. Many homes sit directly along the shoreline, featuring large patios, private docks, and scenic sunset views across the water. These luxury properties attract high-income buyers from the Kansas City area seeking a quieter, resort-style lifestyle. Residents often spend summers fishing, kayaking, boating, and relaxing around the marina community. Because many lakefront homes are held by long-term owners, housing inventory remains limited and highly competitive. Large custom-built waterfront homes have helped make Lake Winnebago one of the most expensive places to live in Missouri.
Life in Lake Winnebago centers around waterfront living, boating, and private lake access. Many homes sit directly along the shoreline, featuring large patios, private docks, and scenic sunset views across the water. These luxury ...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 87
Community Safety : 98
$1,095,000
Median Home Rent
$6,250

Des Peres has gradually been transformed into one of the most sought-after suburbs in St. Louis County. West County Center offers residents access to high-end shopping centers, dining spots, and entertainment venues. Families are drawn to the area for its location near Interstate 270 and highly rated Parkway schools. Des Peres Park and The Lodge Des Peres offer fitness facilities, walking trails, and community events year-round. Its combination of upscale homes, community spaces, and everyday convenience continues to attract buyers looking for a premium lifestyle in Missouri.
Des Peres has gradually been transformed into one of the most sought-after suburbs in St. Louis County. West County Center offers residents access to high-end shopping centers, dining spots, and entertainment venues. Families are ...
Personal Safety : 91
Property Safety : 61
Community Safety : 73
$690,000
Median Home Rent
$2,900

Parkville combines historic charm with upscale suburban living along the Missouri River. Its walkable downtown features locally owned shops, restaurants, and cafes, while the riverfront adds to the community's appeal. Luxury homes perched on the bluffs offer panoramic views of the river and easy access to premier golf and recreational amenities. The presence of Park University contributes to the town's vibrant atmosphere and strong sense of community. Limited inventory, desirable riverfront locations, and growing demand for high-end homes have helped drive property values upward, making Parkville one of the most expensive places to live in Missouri.
Parkville combines historic charm with upscale suburban living along the Missouri River. Its walkable downtown features locally owned shops, restaurants, and cafes, while the riverfront adds to the community's appeal. Luxury homes...
Personal Safety : 94
Property Safety : 72
Community Safety : 78
$506,000
Median Home Rent
$1,175

Town and Country is renowned for the huge estates, horse farms, and forested lands on the west side of St. Louis. Homes near Mason Road and Clayton Road often sit on multi-acre lots hidden behind private gates and long driveways. Residents enjoy access to exclusive country clubs, private tennis facilities, and upscale dining throughout West County. The city limits commercial development heavily, helping preserve its peaceful atmosphere. High property values and luxury real estate continue making Town and Country one of Missouri's most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods.
Town and Country is renowned for the huge estates, horse farms, and forested lands on the west side of St. Louis. Homes near Mason Road and Clayton Road often sit on multi-acre lots hidden behind private gates and long driveways. ...
Personal Safety : 93
Property Safety : 77
Community Safety : 83
Median Home Price
$1,385,000
Median Home Rent
$2,600

Weatherby Lake offers an exclusive waterfront lifestyle just outside Kansas City. Residents enjoy boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and other lake activities right from their backyard, while many properties feature private docks, expansive outdoor living spaces, and direct water access. The community feels more like a private resort than a typical suburb, making it especially attractive to affluent buyers. Limited waterfront inventory and strong demand for custom luxury homes continue to push property values higher. These factors have helped establish Weatherby Lake as one of the wealthiest and most sought-after communities in Missouri.
Weatherby Lake offers an exclusive waterfront lifestyle just outside Kansas City. Residents enjoy boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and other lake activities right from their backyard, while many properties feature private docks, ...
Personal Safety : 87
Property Safety : 89
Community Safety : 80
$659,999
Median Home Rent
$2,295
Transparent & data-driven
Each city is scored across five weighted categories using daily MLS data and verified government stats. Every metric is benchmarked against both its state average and the national average — dual benchmarking — so a market isn’t judged expensive just for sitting in a high-cost state.
Sale price, price per sq ft & high-value concentration vs. state and national benchmarks.
Median rent, rent-to-income ratio & rental demand vs. state and national medians.
The gap between median household income and the cost of living for the area.
Turnover, scarcity, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
Utilities, transportation & everyday goods vs. state and national averages — the tiebreaker.
MLS metrics update daily; government data is added on each agency’s release schedule.
High home prices are only part of the equation in Missouri's priciest markets. Groceries, utilities, and insurance all run above the national average. Coastal homeowners' insurance alone can add thousands to your annual budget. Here is what to expect across five of Missouri's most expensive cities.
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Cost of Living | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladue | $1,900,000 | $2,870 | 1/10 | |
| Frontenac | $1,695,000 | $4,357 | 2/10 | |
| Westwood | $2,250,000 | $2,800 | 3/10 | |
| Clarkson Valley | $1,145,000 | $5,000 | 4/10 | |
| Clayton | $945,700 | $1,650 | 5/10 |
Choosing a safe place to live is important for families, retirees, and young professionals across Missouri. Many cities in the state report lower crime rates and offer peaceful neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. From quiet suburbs to well-maintained small towns, Missouri has more safe places to live than many people expect. Explore our safest places to live in Missouri rankings to see which cities made the list.
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