If you're moving to St. Louis and schools or safety matter to your family, this is the reference you need. We analyzed 35+ St. Louis-area neighborhoods using school quality data (rated 1–10) and crime grades (A+ through F), then ranked them so you can compare any neighborhood against the full metro at a glance.
Elite Tier — School Rating 9–10
St. Louis has 4 neighborhoods that reach a school rating of 9 or 10 out of 10. These are the zones where public school performance is genuinely exceptional.
Clayton leads the St. Louis area rankings with a 9/10 school rating and A+ crime grade at a $649,000 median price. Frontenac is a strong alternative at 9/10 schools, A+ crime, and $678,500 median.
Strong Tier — School Rating 8
A school rating of 8/10 is well above the national average. St. Louis has 10 neighborhoods in this tier. These are solid family zones where you get strong public schools without necessarily paying the top-tier premium.
Highlights in this tier: Ballwin ($427,800, A- crime), Brentwood ($442,500, A- crime), Compton Heights ($457,200, A- crime), Glendale ($457,200, A- crime), Olivette ($457,200, A- crime).
Best Value — Strong Schools Under $350,000
These neighborhoods offer the best school rating and crime grade combination at or under $350,000 median price — the spots where what you pay is less than what you get in school quality and safety.
Full St. Louis Neighborhood Rankings
| Neighborhood | Schools | Crime | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 9/10 | A+ | $649,000 |
| Frontenac | 9/10 | A+ | $678,500 |
| Ladue | 9/10 | A+ | $767,000 |
| Chesterfield | 9/10 | A | $560,500 |
| Ballwin | 8/10 | A- | $427,800 |
| Brentwood | 8/10 | A- | $442,500 |
| Compton Heights | 8/10 | A- | $457,200 |
| Glendale | 8/10 | A- | $457,200 |
| Olivette | 8/10 | A- | $457,200 |
| Lafayette Square | 8/10 | A- | $472,000 |
| Webster Groves | 8/10 | A- | $472,000 |
| Kirkwood | 8/10 | A- | $501,500 |
| Central West End | 8/10 | A- | $531,000 |
| Creve Coeur | 8/10 | A- | $531,000 |
| The Hill | 7/10 | B+ | $354,000 |
| Benton Park | 7/10 | B+ | $368,800 |
| Maplewood | 7/10 | B+ | $368,800 |
| Shaw | 7/10 | B+ | $383,500 |
| Forest Park SE | 7/10 | B+ | $383,500 |
| Manchester | 7/10 | B+ | $398,200 |
| University City | 7/10 | B+ | $413,000 |
| Richmond Heights | 7/10 | B+ | $413,000 |
| Soulard | 7/10 | B+ | $442,500 |
| Dogtown | 7/10 | B | $354,000 |
| Tower Grove | 7/10 | B | $398,200 |
| Arnold | 6/10 | B | $295,000 |
| Midtown | 6/10 | B | $324,500 |
| Fenton | 6/10 | B | $324,500 |
| Hazelwood | 5/10 | B- | $259,600 |
| Carondelet | 5/10 | C+ | $280,200 |
| Florissant | 5/10 | C+ | $280,200 |
| Ferguson | 4/10 | C+ | $236,000 |
| Old North St Louis | 4/10 | C | $212,400 |
| Hyde Park | 4/10 | C | $221,200 |
| Dutchtown | 4/10 | C | $236,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which St. Louis neighborhood has the best schools?
The top-rated neighborhood in the St. Louis area is Clayton (9/10 schools, A+ crime, $649,000 median). A strong alternative is Frontenac (9/10 schools, A+ crime, $678,500 median).
What is the safest neighborhood in St. Louis?
The top-rated neighborhoods by crime grade in St. Louis include Clayton (A+), Ladue (A+), Frontenac (A+), Chesterfield (A). Crime grades are relative to the St. Louis metro area.
Which St. Louis neighborhood has the best schools under $350,000?
Several St. Louis neighborhoods offer strong schools at accessible price points.
Is a 7/10 school rating good in St. Louis?
Yes — a 7/10 school rating in St. Louis is above average for the metro and well above the national average. The difference between a 7 and a 9 is real, but a 7 is not a bad school by any reasonable measure. Many buyers find 7-rated neighborhoods represent the best value in the market.
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