Quick answer
Before moving to St. Louis: median 1BR rent is $1,100/month, state income tax is Up to 4.95%, and the city runs car-dependent (walk score 52/100). First-month cash needed — including deposit, rent, and moving costs — is roughly $4,350.
Moving Guide · MO · 2026
Moving to St. Louis, MO
A practical breakdown of costs, neighborhoods, and what to do in your first 90 days — written for people who have already decided to move and need numbers, not hype.
St. Louis offers something genuinely unusual: a city where a household earning $100K combined can buy a beautiful Victorian home in a safe neighborhood, dine at excellent restaurants regularly, attend world-class free cultural institutions, and save money. Forest Park — at 1,371 acres, larger than Central Park — houses the St. Louis Zoo (consistently ranked #1 in the US and completely free), the St. Louis Art Museum (free), the Missouri History Museum (free), and the Muny outdoor theater. The Gateway Arch National Park is a legitimate icon. Washington University in St. Louis is a top-15 research university and, combined with BJC Healthcare (the dominant health system), employs tens of thousands in high-wage research, healthcare, and administration roles.
The neighborhoods reward careful selection. Clayton is effectively a city within the St. Louis region — a dense, walkable suburb of the county seat with excellent restaurants along Maryland Avenue, Washington University adjacent, and corporate offices (Edward Jones) that make it one of the most functional places to live in the entire metro. The Hill is one of the best-preserved Italian-American neighborhoods in the US: Toasted Ravioli (genuinely invented here), excellent red-sauce restaurants from multigenerational families, bocce courts, and a community identity that hasn't been erased by gentrification. Lafayette Square has 19th-century Victorian homes surrounding a park — architectural quality that would cost 5–8x more in Chicago or DC. Maplewood and Webster Groves are first-ring suburbs with walkable Main Street vibes and strong schools.
The crime statistics require honest engagement. St. Louis has among the highest violent crime rates of any US city — but these numbers are heavily concentrated geographically in a relatively small portion of the city. North St. Louis neighborhoods have persistent challenges that have driven decades of outmigration. The Clayton, Webster Groves, The Hill, Lafayette Square, and Tower Grove South neighborhoods are genuinely safe middle-class areas with crime rates comparable to national averages. Missouri state income tax at up to 4.95% and the typical Midwest car dependency (walk score 52 for the city, lower in suburbs) are the practical limitations. For people who research neighborhoods carefully and move into one of the functioning areas, St. Louis offers extraordinary value.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
First-Month Cash Needed
This is the lump sum you need available before moving day — separate from your ongoing monthly budget.
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | $1,650 |
| First month rent | $1,100 |
| Utility setup | $200 |
| Moving costs (est.) | $800–$1,200 |
| Total first-month cash needed | ~$4,350 |
Moving cost estimate assumes a studio apartment, under 500 miles. Add ~30% for a 1BR, and budget $1,950–$3,900 for moves over 500 miles.
Neighborhoods Guide
Rent varies $200–500/month between neighborhoods within the same city. Pick the area that matches your commute and lifestyle before signing a lease.
Clayton
popularWalkable WashU-adjacent suburb, excellent restaurants, corporate offices, most livable; 1BR $1,300–1,800
Typical 1BR: $1,200–$1,450/mo
The Hill
Italian-American community, Toasted Ravioli birthplace, best Italian food in Midwest; 1BR $1,000–1,400
Typical 1BR: $950–$1,200/mo
Lafayette Square
Victorian homes, park, established young professionals, South St. Louis feel; 1BR $1,000–1,400
Typical 1BR: $1,200–$1,450/mo
Tower Grove South / South Grand
International restaurants, Tower Grove Park, diverse, affordable; 1BR $900–1,300
Typical 1BR: $950–$1,200/mo
Maplewood
Walkable Main Street, breweries, young families, best suburban value; 1BR $1,000–1,400
Typical 1BR: $1,200–$1,450/mo
Webster Groves
Charming leafy suburb, excellent schools, historic homes, families; 1BR $1,100–1,500
Typical 1BR: $950–$1,200/mo
Creve Coeur / Chesterfield
Western corporate suburbs, newest construction, safe, Monsanto/Boeing area; 1BR $1,200–1,600
Typical 1BR: $1,200–$1,450/mo
Getting Around
Walk Score
52/100
Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
38/100
Minimal Transit
Walk score 52 — you can manage without a car in the denser neighborhoods, but most residents own one. Budget $200–400/month if you drive.
Job Market
St. Louis's economy is anchored by Healthcare and Finance. Other significant sectors include Manufacturing and Aerospace / Defense (Boeing). Job seekers in these fields will find the most density of employers locally.
Honest caveat: St. Louis's job market is competitive in peak sectors. Remote workers relocating here should secure employment before signing a lease — the local market may not absorb every specialty at coastal salary levels.
Climate — Honest Take
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Average monthly utilities run $145/month — factor seasonal climate control costs into your monthly budget. St. Louis's climate varies significantly between seasons; research the specific months you plan to arrive.
Utility costs above reflect average monthly bills including climate control. Actual bills vary significantly by unit size, insulation, and personal usage.
State Income Tax
State Income Tax: Up to 4.95%
MO income tax is Up to 4.95%. On an $80K salary, budget approximately $3,960/year ($330/month) for state taxes. At $120K that climbs to ~$5,940/year. Adjust your W-4 withholding before your first paycheck.
Moving Cost Estimate
Studio / 1BR under 500 miles
$800–$1,200
Local or regional move
Studio / 1BR over 500 miles
$1,500–$3,000
Cross-country move
1BR under 500 miles
$1,050–$1,560
Add ~30% for 1BR vs studio
1BR over 500 miles
$1,950–$3,900
Long-haul full-service mover
Get at least 3 quotes. Moving company prices vary 40–60% for the same job. Book 4–6 weeks out in peak season (May–September).
DIY truck rental (U-Haul, Penske, Budget) typically runs $400–900 for a local move and $1,200–2,200 cross-country, plus fuel and time.
Moving to St. Louis Checklist
These are MO-specific items — not generic advice. Do each within the timeframe noted.
Get your MO driver's license within 30–60 days of establishing residency
Register your vehicle with the state DMV within 30 days
Set up gas, electricity, and water utilities at least 1 week before move-in
Research local transit options — monthly pass costs vary $60–130 by city
Check whether your employer withholds MO state income tax at the correct rate
Contact your local county assessor if buying a home about available exemptions
Forward your mail via USPS at least 2 weeks before moving day
Update your address with your bank, employer, and health insurance
Register to vote at your new MO address within 30 days
Set up renter's insurance before your move-in date — budget $15–25/month
What Nobody Tells You About St. Louis
Real trade-offs that most city guides gloss over. Know these before you sign a lease.
Violent crime is among the highest of any major US city. While geographically concentrated, it significantly affects overall city quality of life, school funding, and the service gap between safe and unsafe areas.
Population decline has been significant — St. Louis City proper has lost 60%+ of its peak population, creating a cycle of reduced tax base and reduced services in many areas.
St. Louis City and County are legally separate entities, creating a unique administrative complexity that affects school funding, services, and property tax rates in confusing ways.
Summer heat and humidity from June–August is significant. St. Louis averages 89°F in July with high humidity — comparable to Chicago but more intense.
Car dependency is high for most of the metro. The MetroLink light rail covers two corridors but doesn't reach most neighborhoods or suburbs.
The crime reputation — even for safe neighborhoods — affects property values and drives continued outmigration of young professionals to suburbs or other cities.
Tornado and severe weather risk from spring through early summer. The 2011 Joplin tornado (1.5 hours south) was a reminder of regional risk. St. Louis itself has had tornado events in modern times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Louis safe?
Highly neighborhood-dependent. The violent crime statistics that make St. Louis appear dangerous are heavily concentrated in specific North St. Louis neighborhoods. Clayton, Webster Groves, Maplewood, Kirkwood, The Hill, Lafayette Square, and Tower Grove South are safe, functioning middle-class areas. Research neighborhood-level crime statistics, not citywide averages, and you'll find areas that are genuinely reasonable places to live.
What are the best employers in St. Louis?
BJC Healthcare (Washington University Medical Campus) and SSM Health collectively employ 50,000+ in healthcare. Washington University in St. Louis ($3.6B research budget) employs 16,000. Boeing (defense manufacturing), Edward Jones (investment firm HQ), Centene (health insurance HQ), Anheuser-Busch InBev (North America HQ), and Emerson Electric anchor the corporate base. Healthcare and finance dominate high-wage employment.
What are St. Louis's free cultural institutions?
Extraordinary. The St. Louis Zoo is consistently ranked #1 in the US and is completely free (supported by a local property tax levy). The St. Louis Art Museum (world-class collection, free general admission), Missouri History Museum (free), and Muny outdoor theater (free seats available every performance) are all in Forest Park. The Gateway Arch National Park is free to walk. Civic culture here funds public institutions at a level that most American cities don't match.
How does Clayton differ from St. Louis City?
Clayton is an independent municipality within St. Louis County — physically adjacent to the city but administratively separate. It functions as a dense, walkable suburb with its own excellent school district, a Maryland Avenue restaurant corridor, and corporate offices (Edward Jones HQ). Crime rates are dramatically lower than St. Louis City. Many people who work in St. Louis choose to live in Clayton or nearby Brentwood, Maplewood, or Webster Groves for the better services and schools while maintaining proximity to city cultural institutions.
What is the food culture like in St. Louis?
Better than the national reputation. Toasted Ravioli (invented on The Hill), St. Louis-style BBQ (different from Kansas City — lighter smoke, sweeter sauce), provel cheese (polarizing but authentically local), and a serious Ted Drewes Frozen Custard culture are the icons. The restaurant scene beyond these has developed significantly — South Grand's international restaurant corridor (Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Thai), The Hill's multigenerational Italian restaurants, and a growing craft brewery scene in Maplewood and Midtown.
Ready to book your move?
Get quotes from multiple moving companies and truck rental services. Prices vary 40–60% — a few minutes of comparison can save $300–600.
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