11 Best Neighborhoods in St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, Missouri is not just a charming city nestled along the Mississippi River – it’s an up-and-coming area for tech jobs, having grown that sector by 10.5% between 2017 and 2022 alone. That means that the city is also starting to see modest population growth, versus the decline that it has experienced in the previous seven years. If you’re looking to live in a big city with a growing job market and fewer people, St. Louis is a good bet for you.

If you’re thinking of moving to “the Gateway to the West,” you’ll want to pinpoint exactly which area of the city is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to the 11 best neighborhoods in St. Louis. From historic districts to vibrant communities, we've curated a list of the top places to consider.

To provide you with an even deeper perspective on these neighborhoods, we've also included insights from YouTube's John Voirol. Get ready to explore St. Louis with a fresh set of eyes and a local's point of view. Let's tour St. Louis!

11 Best Neighborhoods in St. Louis, MO

How We Chose the Best Neighborhoods in St. Louis

For us, choosing the best St. Louis neighborhoods came down to a number of factors:

• Rental Prices: We looked for a mix of upscale and affordable neighborhoods that were desirable to renters.
• Popularity: These neighborhoods are all highly-rated and sought-after places to live in St. Louis.
• Lifestyle: Whether you crave the beach life, a charming island community, historic vibes, or a young and vibrant scene, this list has something for most preferences.
• Amenities: The neighborhoods encompass a range of offerings, including beautiful parks, shopping, dining, nightlife, cultural attractions, and family-friendly activities.

It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are many other nice neighborhoods to consider as well. If you're feeling brave, consider browsing all of our St. Louis apartment listings and investigating neighborhoods on your own!

Please note that the rent averages below represent current listings on our website and may differ from what people are actually paying right now.

1. Downtown St. Louis

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,465
• Walk Score: 85
• Transit Score: 67
• Bike Score: 60

Downtown St. Louis is among the most diverse and lively neighborhoods in the city. This walkable neighborhood offers eclectic architecture, modern apartment complexes, and lofts turned condos. You’re never far from dozens of restaurants, pubs, and cafes.

Downtown St. Louis is also home to the famous Busch Stadium ballpark and Gateway Arch. For live music, Dome at America's Center arena hosts major concerts and sports. Ballpark Village draws locals and visitors to trendy bars and dance clubs that stay open until 3 a.m. Dinner and a show draw local crowds at the 42-acre entertainment district of Westport Plaza. But you can't live in St. Louis without a favorite place to hear some soul music, like at Soulard.

2. Lafayette Square

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,395
• Walk Score - 82
• Transit Score: 50
• Bike Score: 63

The cozy neighborhood of Lafayette Square is small, iconic, and historic. The upscale area is known for its 30 acres of greenery, an urban landscape, and classy restaurants and lounges. Lafayette Park entertains locals with free concerts, and the park is surrounded by pristine Victorian townhouses and wine bars. Renters will find plenty of shops and craft breweries along Park Avenue.

Lafayette Square is very close to Downtown St. Louis, making it a convenient residence if you work in and enjoy city life. You're only three blocks south of Downtown and 1.4 miles to the Gateway Arch, an ideal situation for young professionals looking to thrive in the city and enjoy all of its amenities.

3. Soulard

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,323
• Walk Score: 85
• Transit Score: 38
• Bike Score: 59

True to its name, Soulard is a haven for blues and music lovers. It's packed with bars, laid-back pizza shops, popular restaurants, and beloved markets. This St. Louis neighborhood is also home to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, which offers tours you’ll want to take visiting guests to. Soulard also hosts its own lively Mardi Gras Parade, and tourists show up in droves.

Like jazz and the blues, the city is known for its pre-Prohibition roots, while featuring historic architecture with Federal-style Pre-Victorian row houses. You’ll find some of that nineteenth-century design in the oldest church in St. Louis, which is in Soulard: Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

4. Shaw

• Starting Apartment Rent: $1,200
• Walk Score: 64
• Transit Score: 35
• Bike Score: 67

The quiet neighborhood of Shaw is situated along tree-lined streets dotted with Victorian homes. The neighborhood is home to Tower Grove Park, which has a pond, a locally-loved farmers' market, and the historic palm house. If you love greenery, the area lays claim to the Missouri Botanical Garden, which features Japanese strolling gardens and more than 79 acres of rare and exciting plants from all over the world.

While Shaw is a local historic district whose structures and character are protected by city ordinances, the neighborhood continues to see development and growth. Local groups are striving to protect the neighborhood while renovating it, ensuring it is one of the most intact neighborhoods in historic St. Louis.

5. Central West End

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,799
• Walk Score: 78
• Transit Score: 53
• Bike Score: 65

The upscale Central West End is known for its mixed-use buildings, lively character, and live music. This St. Louis neighborhood is known for its walkability to anything and everything you could want to frequent, from cafes and restaurants to theaters, art galleries to bookshops.

The crowning jewel in Central West End is the Instagrammable Forest Park, which features lakes, woods, and attractions like the St. Louis Zoo. Over at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 20th-century mosaics cover the walls, drawing tourists seeking out beauty and inspiration.

6. Debaliviere Place

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,283
• Walk Score: 55
• Transit Score: 56
• Bike Score: 75

Developed in the wake of the 1904 World Fair, the historic Debaliviere Place is a favorite for renters with its mix of upscale renovated apartments and spacious condominiums. You'll also find single-family homes for rent, some of them boasting beautiful Victorian architecture, as well as apartments in older high rises along Union Boulevard. This St. Louis neighborhood is ideal for college students attending the popular Washington University. It’s also conveniently located next to Forest Park and Central West End to enjoy the rest of the city.

7. Tower Grove

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,375
• Walk Score: 75
• Transit Score: 40
• Bike Score: 62

Formerly known as Oak Hill, Tower Grove is home to a namesake park with an arboretum and well-loved cultural programs, including a Summer Children's Concert Series. You'll also find lecture series, art, and band concerts in this tight-knit community. Over the last few decades, Tower Grove has undergone a push for renovation and refresh of its residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. Today, you’ll find new restaurants, bars, and shopping around the neighborhood.

Look for apartments near South Grand Business District along the eastern boundary of Tower Grove South for easy walks to pubs and cafes. The neighborhood is also home to an eclectic array of restaurants, including Moroccan, Ethiopian, Persian, and Vietnamese food.

8. Forest Park

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,515
• Walk Score: 82
• Transit Score: 54
• Bike Score: 78

A favorite for renters looking for a walkable neighborhood with lots to do outdoors, Forest Park is home to its namesake park. The park includes a trolley, which carries visitors around to various on-site attractions. The park is home to major cultural institutions, like the Missouri History Museum, the Muny outdoor musical theater, and the St. Louis Art Museum. It's perhaps best known for the free Saint Louis Zoo, which houses over 12,000 animals, 500 species, and a worldwide reputation for animal care and wildlife conservation.

You’ll find a skating rink in Forest Park, along with plenty of dining, like local favorite Boathouse Restaurant. For nature lovers, the 75-foot Cascades waterfall is a popular spot for picnics and weddings. For hiking, take one of the trails in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest, which is beloved by bird watchers for being home to over 100 species of migratory warblers. If you’re an athlete, you’ll find tennis, boating, and handball all around Forest Park.

9. Benton Park

• Average Apartment Rent: $825
• Walk Score: 88
• Transit Score: 43
• Bike Score: 63

Founded in 1866, the highly walkable Benton Park is situated on the southside of St. Louis. An artificial lake and rustic bridge are part of the longstanding features of the original site, which was a city cemetery. Today, Benton Park has undergone a remodel with a new landscape.

Underground caverns attracted local beer makers to Benton Park, as the naturally chilly locations helped preserve their creations. As the brewing industry took off, German workers and architectural pros built up the area with detailed masonry and carpentry. The stunning red brick architecture and thriving mix of walkways, shops and restaurants attracts young professionals, creatives, and families looking to settle in for the long haul.

10. Grand Center

• Average Apartment Rent: $1,516
• Walk Score: 70
• Transit Score: 50
• Bike Score: 66

Artists and culture lovers live in Grand Center, a vibrant district that offers both experiential and mainstream performances. Grand Central is home to the Fabulous Fox Theater, which headlines musicals and comedy shows, as well as Powell Hall, a former vaudeville house. Today, the St. Louis Symphony plays from its stage. First Friday Art walks draw locals to the neighborhood for gallery browsing, cocktails, and live entertainment. Come early to stop by The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and take in innovative exhibits.

Grand Center is perfect for young professionals and retirees looking to enjoy the cornerstone of St. Louis’ culture. It’s also three miles to Downtown St. Louis for an easy commute. With over 1,500 cultural events annually, there’s something to do just about every day and night of the week in Grand Center. Renters love Grand Center for its varied, affordable options, from renovated nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century buildings turned into charming apartments, to modern upscale high rises.

11. Webster Groves

• Starting Apartment Rent: $1,250
• Walk Score - 49
• Transit Score: 23
• Bike Score: 40

The charming suburb of Webster Groves made the list of best Missouri Creative Communities, in part due to its eclectic local restaurants and hip boutiques. It's also the perfect location for students of Webster University or theater lovers who frequent the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Webster Groves often makes lists of best places for families to live thanks to its safe reputation, and quality schools. Growing families looking to rent will appreciate its affordability, too, in addition to all the local offerings. Public art, annual cultural events, and a strong small business network attract any newcomers looking for a tight-knit community.

Which St. Louis Neighborhood Is Right for You?

Are you moving to St. Louis and ready to start looking for your new home? Browse Apartment List to find that dream St. Louis apartment in the neighborhood that’s perfect for you.