A local landlord’s guide
Moving to St. Louis
Moving to St. Louis — STL to locals? Here’s what rent really costs, which neighborhoods fit which lives, where the jobs are, and the practical things to sort out when you arrive.
Rent prices
St. Louis rent vs. the national average
Show the numbers
| Month | St. Louis | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2023 | $1,351 | $1,733 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,374 | $1,736 |
| Jul 2024 | $1,391 | $1,756 |
| Nov 2024 | $1,386 | $1,748 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,388 | $1,755 |
| Jul 2025 | $1,405 | $1,768 |
| Nov 2025 | $1,398 | $1,754 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,423 | $1,750 |
| Jul 2026 | $1,444 | $1,771 |
| Aug 2026 | $1,448 | $1,773 |
Source: RentCafe / Yardi Matrix, updated September 21, 2026. Averages for apartment buildings with 50+ units.
Average St. Louis rent by size
| Size | Avg. rent | Avg. size |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,077 | 476 sq ft |
| 1 bedroom | $1,358 | 713 sq ft |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,626 | 1,029 sq ft |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,775 | 1,246 sq ft |
RentCafe, September 2026. For national figures by city, see Apartments.com rent trends.
Small buildings, more space
Those averages come from large apartment complexes. Older, smaller buildings often give you more room for the money.
3808 Flad Ave is 1,100 sq ft for $1,300 a month — bigger than the average St. Louis one-bedroom (713 sq ft), and below its average rent ($1,358).
Neighborhoods
Where we rent, and what each place is like
One thing that surprises newcomers: the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are separate governments. Shaw, DeBaliviere Place and Downtown are in the City; University City, Chesterfield and Clayton are in the County; Gray Summit is further out in Franklin County.
Shaw 63110
Historic brick streets between Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden, with South Grand's restaurants a short walk away.
Near SLU, the Cortex district and the Central West End medical campus.
3808 Flad Ave — 1 bed, available →DeBaliviere Place 63112
Early-1900s apartment buildings on the north edge of Forest Park, next to the Central West End (CWE), with MetroLink at Forest Park–DeBaliviere.
Near Washington University, the Central West End and the Delmar Loop.
5630 Pershing Ave — 2 bed, available →University City 63130
Tree-lined residential streets around the Delmar Loop's restaurants and music venues.
Near Washington University and Clayton, on the Blue Line.
Our home here: 7216 Tulane Ave (occupied)Downtown 63103
The Washington Avenue loft district — converted warehouses near Ballpark Village and the Enterprise Center.
Near downtown offices and the new NGA West campus to the north.
Our home here: 1204 Washington Ave (occupied)Chesterfield 63017
West St. Louis County suburb with larger homes and yards along I-64.
Near the West County employers along I-64.
Our home here: 1693 Claymont Estates Ct (occupied)Gray Summit 63039
Quiet lake communities about 40 miles west of downtown, near Shaw Nature Reserve.
Easy access to I-44 and Highway 100.
Our home here: 2215 Pine Lake Loop (occupied)Jobs
Where the jobs are
Health care, universities, finance and advanced manufacturing anchor the region. These are the main job centers, and which of our homes are close to each.
Central West End medical campus
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine — the region's largest concentration of jobs.
Close to: DeBaliviere Place, Shaw
Washington University & Forest Park
The Danforth Campus on the western edge of Forest Park, plus the Zoo, museums and Science Center.
Close to: DeBaliviere Place, University City
Midtown: SLU & Cortex
Saint Louis University and the Cortex Innovation District's biotech and tech companies.
Close to: Shaw, DeBaliviere Place
Downtown
Nestlé Purina PetCare and Wells Fargo Advisors headquarters, government offices, and the new NGA West campus just north.
Close to: 1204 Washington Ave
Clayton
St. Louis County's seat and a business district home to Enterprise Mobility's headquarters and many law and finance firms.
Close to: University City, DeBaliviere Place
West County
Reinsurance Group of America and Mercy in Chesterfield, Bayer in Creve Coeur, Edward Jones in Des Peres and Maryland Heights.
Close to: Chesterfield
Job searching: MoJobs (Missouri’s state job board) and Greater St. Louis, Inc. (the regional business association).
Getting settled
The practical stuff
Getting around
MetroLink‘s Red and Blue lines link the airport, Clayton, Washington University, Forest Park, the Central West End and downtown, with Metro buses beyond. Most people still drive — and locals call I-64 “Highway 40”.
Utilities to set up
Electric is Ameren Missouri and natural gas is Spire. Water comes from the City Water Division in the City and, in most of the County, Missouri American Water. Ask us which apply to your home.
City earnings tax
The City of St. Louis charges a 1% earnings tax on people who live in the City, and on those who work there. It’s worth factoring in when you compare City and County homes.
Car, license and registration
New Missouri residents need to title and register their vehicles and switch to a Missouri driver license. The Missouri Department of Revenue has the current rules and deadlines.
Weather
Summers are hot and humid, winters bring cold snaps with some snow and ice, and spring has thunderstorms. Central air matters, and renter’s insurance is a good idea.
Avoid rental scams
Never wire money or pay a deposit for a place you haven’t seen and confirmed with the owner. If a listing looks too cheap, it probably is.
Questions
What people ask before moving to St. Louis
How much do you need to earn to rent in St. Louis?
A common rule is to spend no more than 30% of gross income on rent — HUD counts households above that as cost-burdened. At St. Louis’s average apartment rent of about $1,448 a month (August 2026), that means earning roughly $58,000 a year; for an average one-bedroom (about $1,358), roughly $54,000. Older buildings from small owners can bring that down.
What are the tenant laws in Missouri?
In Missouri a security deposit can’t be more than two months’ rent, and it must be returned — or the deductions itemized — within 30 days of move-out (RSMo 535.300). In the City of St. Louis, a home must pass an occupancy inspection before a new tenant moves in, and the tenant can’t be charged for it (City occupancy permits).
Is the City of St. Louis part of St. Louis County?
No. The City of St. Louis has been independent of St. Louis County since 1876, with its own government, taxes and services — including a 1% earnings tax for City residents. Clayton, University City, Kirkwood and Chesterfield are in the County.
How do I find an apartment from a private landlord?
Walk or drive the blocks you like and call the numbers on window signs, ask in neighborhood groups, and check the sites small owners use. Our comparison of apartment websites for St. Louis covers which ones.
Where can I find affordable housing in St. Louis?
STLhousingsearch.com lists affordable, accessible and market-rate rentals for free (help line 1-877-428-8844), and the St. Louis Housing Authority runs public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Available now
Ready to look at a place?
Available Oct 1Spacious 1-bedroom in Shaw
3808 Flad Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
- 1Bed
- 1Bath
- 1,100Sq ft
Available nowRenovated 2-bedroom in DeBaliviere Place
5630 Pershing Ave, Unit 10, St. Louis, MO 63112
- 2Bed
- 1Bath
- 875Sq ft