More and more people would prefer to live in the cities and towns that surround St. Louis to avoid all the hustle and bustle.
So the question arises: what suburbs of St. Louis are the worst?
Today, we’ll use Saturday Night Science to determine which St. Louis ‘burbs need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the St. Louis area if you will. Realistically, you can only expect some of the suburbs to live up to St. Louis proper, although Glendale certainly tries.
We examined the 94 biggest suburbs of St. Louis to find out the worst places to live. And while you won’t necessarily find them on the worst places to live in Missouri lists, these places are a little too far downwind of St. Louis in terms of quality of life.
$35,700 median income · $39,297 median home price
We’ll get the ball rolling with East St. Louis, the absolute worst place to live around St. Louis according to the data.
And in the world of worst rankings, East St. Louis beat the competition pretty handily thanks to scoring in the bottom 15% in three major categories. Income is the 4th worst in the St. Louis area, and to make matters worse, the city ranks worst when it comes to home values.
But hey, at least it’s cheap to live there. But there’s a reason for that… it’s East St. Louis.
You won’t feel bad about not having a great income for the area. There aren’t a bunch of places to spend your money anyway.
$49,326 median income · $54,802 median home price
Welcome to Madison. Home to KMart, Big Lots, and a lot of gas stations.
This city is 7.8 miles to St. Louis. Income levels here are the 15th lowest in the metro area, where families bring in about $49,326 a year, which only goes so far even on a shoestring budget.
But on the bright side, there are a lot of fast food joints in the area.
$24,837 median income · $67,353 median home price
Back up the highway we go for the third worst St. Louis suburb you can live in. You might have expected to see Pine Lawn on here. While the cost of living is low, your entertainment and work options are limited. And that’s an understatement.
In terms of numbers, it’s in the worst 15% for insurance, and the adult high school dropout rate is poor compared to other St. Louis suburbs.
But at least there are lovely parks to bring the kids during the day.
$44,265 median income · $97,156 median home price
Located in
St. Louis County, Missouri
If you live in Berkeley, most likely you struggle to make ends meet every month. It ranks as the 8th lowest St. Louis suburb for median household incomes.
Not only that, but this is the 28th worst unemployed suburb you can live in if you choose to live near St. Louis. Remember, we looked at 94 cities for this study.
Berkeley is about 8.9 miles to downtown.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$31,250 median income · $74,647 median home price
Pagedale has the distinction of being a St. Louis suburb. Which means that’s about all it has going for it.
All snarkiness aside, Pagedale has the 6th lowest home values in the metro St. Louis area, where the median price is $74,647. The median income is $250,001.
Pagedale has an unemployment rate of 11.0% which ranks 8th worst.
$38,984 median income · $73,369 median home price
Located in
St. Louis County, Missouri
Jennings has 12,918 residents that probably know it’s a pretty crummy place to live when you look at the data. (Or, if you’ve ever been there, you don’t need to look at the data.)
Incomes are towards the bottom, and the poverty rate sits at 25.2%.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$29,379 median income · $94,375 median home price
Ah, Normandy. You rank as the 7th worst place to live around St. Louis.
It’s the place with the 4th most out of work residents in the St. Louis metro area (15.7%).
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$38,049 median income · $77,465 median home price
Bel-Ridge is a city about 7.0 miles from St. Louis, but St. Louis probably wishes it was further away. It ranks as the 8th worst burb.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a worse place to live. Bel-Ridge has the 13th most uninsured people, 5th worst incomes, and has the 3rd highest unemployment rate (15.9%) in the entire St. Louis metro area.
Homes only cost $77,465 for a reason. That’s cheap for St. Louis standards.
$40,958 median income · $121,359 median home price
If you absolutely have to live near St. Louis, then Breckenridge Hills might be a place for you to consider as it’s only the 9th worst St. Louis suburb.
About 10.2% of residents are out of work.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$53,995 median income · $102,996 median home price
Rounding out the ten worst St. Louis suburbs to call home is Vinita Park.
Located 6.3 miles outside the city, Vinita Park is a real pit when you look at the data. Its residents have the 15th highest unemployment rate (7.1%), and poverty is far above the area average.
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Missouri’s statewide median.
Missouri statewide median: $70,702
Missouri statewide median: $263,040
Missouri statewide median: 4.0%
Missouri statewide median: 12.6%
On the map
Where the worst St. Louis suburbs are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: Determining The Worst Suburbs Around St. Louis for 2026
To figure out how bad a St. Louis suburb is to live in, we used Saturday Night Science to identify the kinds of things people like and then decide what suburbs have the least amount of those things.
Using the most recent American Community Survey data from 2020-2024, this is the criteria we used:
- High unemployment rate
- Low median household incomes
- Low population density (no things to do)
- Low home values
- A lot of high school dropouts
- High poverty
- High rate of uninsured families
We defined a suburb as any town within 30 miles of St. Louis.
We also limited the analysis to places with over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 94 suburbs to evaluate around St. Louis.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 94 in each category, where 1 was the worst.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality-of-life index.
And finally, we crowned the city with the worst quality of life index, the “Worst Suburb near St. Louis.” We’re looking at you, East St. Louis.
We updated this article for 2026, which reflects our eleventh time ranking the worst suburbs around St. Louis.
The full plate
Detailed List Of The Worst St. Louis Suburbs
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Worst Score | Population | Median Income | Median Home Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East St. Louis | 16.57 | 17,999 | $35,700 | $39,297 |
| 2 | Madison | 16.57 | 2,900 | $49,326 | $54,802 |
| 3 | Pine Lawn | 16.57 | 2,716 | $24,837 | $67,353 |
| 4 | Berkeley | 16.71 | 8,123 | $44,265 | $97,156 |
| 5 | Pagedale | 16.93 | 2,531 | $31,250 | $74,647 |
| 6 | Jennings | 17.14 | 12,918 | $38,984 | $73,369 |
| 7 | Normandy | 18.00 | 4,239 | $29,379 | $94,375 |
| 8 | Bel-Ridge | 18.43 | 2,432 | $38,049 | $77,465 |
| 9 | Breckenridge Hills | 20.36 | 4,402 | $40,958 | $121,359 |
| 10 | Vinita Park | 21.00 | 2,042 | $53,995 | $102,996 |
| 11 | South Roxana | 21.00 | 2,181 | $60,214 | $96,306 |
| 12 | Riverview | 21.86 | 2,731 | $48,482 | $74,542 |
| 13 | East Alton | 22.14 | 5,689 | $48,815 | $93,631 |
| 14 | Caseyville | 22.86 | 4,130 | $60,669 | $113,484 |
| 15 | Hanley Hills | 23.29 | 2,178 | $52,828 | $93,141 |
| 16 | Bellefontaine Neighbors | 23.36 | 10,498 | $49,170 | $102,415 |
| 17 | Hazelwood | 25.21 | 25,114 | $55,908 | $157,629 |
| 18 | Ferguson | 25.57 | 18,213 | $47,524 | $116,377 |
| 19 | Pontoon Beach | 25.86 | 6,025 | $62,861 | $187,320 |
| 20 | Woodson Terrace | 26.43 | 3,908 | $47,417 | $134,922 |
| 21 | Dupo | 26.50 | 3,879 | $61,644 | $120,484 |
| 22 | Alton | 26.86 | 25,279 | $54,568 | $103,097 |
| 23 | St. John | 27.14 | 6,527 | $53,755 | $137,116 |
| 24 | Overland | 29.14 | 15,695 | $61,773 | $150,450 |
| 25 | St. Ann | 30.64 | 12,811 | $52,323 | $157,310 |
| 26 | Byrnes Mill | 30.71 | 3,189 | $98,576 | $349,229 |
| 27 | Moline Acres | 32.57 | 2,843 | $55,132 | $100,726 |
| 28 | Bridgeton | 32.71 | 11,369 | $72,005 | $273,069 |
| 29 | Belleville | 34.14 | 41,370 | $63,535 | $156,535 |
| 30 | Collinsville | 36.00 | 24,031 | $67,612 | $192,078 |
| 31 | Wood River | 36.00 | 10,279 | $62,703 | $127,547 |
| 32 | Dellwood | 36.57 | 4,847 | $72,540 | $110,368 |
| 33 | Bethalto | 38.43 | 9,239 | $64,775 | $197,189 |
| 34 | Fairview Heights | 40.00 | 16,745 | $80,930 | $191,788 |
| 35 | Valley Park | 41.29 | 6,795 | $67,898 | $295,375 |
| 36 | Florissant | 41.57 | 51,773 | $65,318 | $191,524 |
| 37 | Pacific | 41.57 | 7,475 | $62,860 | $245,537 |
| 38 | Northwoods | 41.57 | 3,623 | $45,330 | $88,332 |
| 39 | Arnold | 41.79 | 20,956 | $78,370 | $273,572 |
| 40 | Pevely | 42.29 | 6,055 | $56,000 | $273,663 |
| 41 | New Baden | 42.57 | 3,463 | $81,393 | $218,977 |
| 42 | Mascoutah | 42.71 | 8,816 | $97,375 | $264,429 |
| 43 | Godfrey | 43.14 | 17,712 | $94,543 | $214,595 |
| 44 | Brighton | 43.93 | 2,306 | $80,214 | $211,907 |
| 45 | Freeburg | 44.57 | 4,592 | $92,065 | $269,827 |
| 46 | Lebanon | 45.64 | 4,474 | $88,750 | $166,284 |
| 47 | Edwardsville | 47.29 | 26,474 | $86,721 | $324,629 |
| 48 | Black Jack | 47.50 | 6,589 | $78,331 | $217,916 |
| 49 | Green Park | 47.64 | 2,690 | $79,141 | $256,231 |
| 50 | Swansea | 47.93 | 14,710 | $91,587 | $263,376 |
| 51 | Herculaneum | 49.14 | 5,071 | $93,438 | $299,331 |
| 52 | Maryland Heights | 49.71 | 27,880 | $86,436 | $258,829 |
| 53 | Millstadt | 52.71 | 4,008 | $90,901 | $295,416 |
| 54 | Shiloh | 53.14 | 14,572 | $99,573 | $313,004 |
| 55 | Maplewood | 54.00 | 8,156 | $65,125 | $267,091 |
| 56 | St. Charles | 54.36 | 71,508 | $85,937 | $344,643 |
| 57 | Maryville | 54.36 | 8,316 | $100,670 | $325,041 |
| 58 | Eureka | 55.64 | 13,081 | $108,394 | $403,523 |
| 59 | Fenton | 57.07 | 4,088 | $101,000 | $350,648 |
| 60 | Glen Carbon | 57.86 | 13,977 | $97,168 | $331,015 |
| 61 | Marlborough | 58.00 | 2,157 | $50,300 | $236,123 |
| 62 | Manchester | 58.14 | 18,160 | $97,801 | $374,848 |
| 63 | O’Fallon | 58.57 | 32,262 | $105,982 | $308,471 |
| 64 | Shrewsbury | 58.57 | 6,316 | $80,757 | $285,844 |
| 65 | St. Peters | 58.64 | 59,092 | $91,637 | $318,220 |
| 66 | Waterloo | 59.86 | 11,129 | $98,711 | $327,508 |
| 67 | Ellisville | 60.00 | 10,002 | $113,309 | $403,570 |
| 68 | O’Fallon | 62.36 | 93,801 | $110,443 | $376,395 |
| 69 | Rock Hill | 64.36 | 4,693 | $95,372 | $302,430 |
| 70 | Sunset Hills | 65.43 | 9,112 | $138,144 | $610,688 |
| 71 | Troy | 66.29 | 11,647 | $112,434 | $324,854 |
| 72 | Smithton | 67.07 | 3,680 | $135,455 | $306,316 |
| 73 | Columbia | 67.29 | 11,127 | $107,606 | $342,742 |
| 74 | Creve Coeur | 67.36 | 18,643 | $127,188 | $614,771 |
| 75 | Wildwood | 67.71 | 35,133 | $161,060 | $576,009 |
| 76 | Ballwin | 67.86 | 31,279 | $124,626 | $412,225 |
| 77 | Clayton | 68.86 | 17,380 | $123,000 | $871,223 |
| 78 | Chesterfield | 69.00 | 49,574 | $133,037 | $570,325 |
| 79 | Weldon Spring | 69.50 | 5,310 | $158,548 | $629,191 |
| 80 | Frontenac | 69.79 | 3,701 | $233,425 | $1,251,598 |
| 81 | Richmond Heights | 70.14 | 9,153 | $94,460 | $390,830 |
| 82 | Cottleville | 71.57 | 5,937 | $131,310 | $491,929 |
| 83 | Olivette | 71.57 | 8,645 | $111,660 | $488,323 |
| 84 | Brentwood | 71.64 | 8,144 | $99,719 | $265,327 |
| 85 | Kirkwood | 72.21 | 29,363 | $121,270 | $462,235 |
| 86 | Town and Country | 72.43 | 11,607 | $232,534 | $1,146,742 |
| 87 | Crestwood | 73.21 | 12,295 | $107,169 | $339,629 |
| 88 | Webster Groves | 74.50 | 23,712 | $115,227 | $438,955 |
| 89 | Clarkson Valley | 76.14 | 2,584 | $247,000 | $913,371 |
| 90 | Dardenne Prairie | 78.64 | 13,503 | $152,500 | $469,903 |
| 91 | Ladue | 80.14 | 8,940 | $250,001 | $1,331,344 |
| 92 | Warson Woods | 81.86 | 2,393 | $206,979 | $673,848 |
| 93 | Des Peres | 83.14 | 9,170 | $224,327 | $693,377 |
| 94 | Glendale | 88.86 | 6,114 | $170,700 | $565,844 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. 94 suburbs within 30 miles of St. Louis.
Summary
Summary: The areas around St. Louis where the dream is more of a nightmare for 2026
Well there you have it — the worst of the ‘burbs surrounding St. Louis with East St. Louis casting itself ahead of the pack.
The worst suburbs of St. Louis are East St. Louis, Madison, Pine Lawn, Berkeley, Pagedale, Jennings, Normandy, Bel-Ridge, Breckenridge Hills, and Vinita Park.
As we mentioned earlier, the suburbs around St. Louis aren’t all bad. Glendale takes the cake as the best place to live around St. Louis. Not sold on Missouri? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Worst Suburbs Of St. Louis FAQs
What is the worst suburb of St. Louis?
East St. Louis ranks as the worst suburb around St. Louis for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. Madison and Pine Lawn are next on the list.
What are the worst suburbs of St. Louis?
The worst-ranked suburbs around St. Louis are East St. Louis, Madison, Pine Lawn, Berkeley, Pagedale, Jennings, Normandy, Bel-Ridge, Breckenridge Hills, and Vinita Park. We scored all 94 places within 30 miles.
Why does East St. Louis rank as the worst suburb?
East St. Louis posts the roughest combined numbers of the 94 suburbs we scored: a median household income of $35,700, a median home value of $39,297, and a poverty rate of 32.8%.
What is the best-ranked suburb near St. Louis?
Glendale lands at the opposite end of this ranking, making it the best-ranked suburb near St. Louis by these measures. Our separate best suburbs of St. Louis list covers that side properly.
How do you rank the worst suburbs?
Suburbs are scored on unemployment, income, density, home values, dropouts, poverty, and insurance coverage, using Census American Community Survey data. Real numbers, light heart — every one of these towns has people making it work.
