St. Louis, MO is no stranger to value, but 2025 is shaping up as a banner year for buyers ready to score a deal.
This Gateway City ranks at number five of the 10 most affordable housing markets, with a median listing price of $276,799—well below the U.S. median of $490,000, according to Realtor.com® data for March.
Inventory is rising in St. Louis, giving home shoppers more choices than they've had in years. There are currently 814 homes listed below $300,000, and another 1,234 opportunities between $350,000 and $500,000.
Beyond its affordability, St. Louis is emerging as one of America’s next tech hubs. The city’s startup ecosystem keeps the job market vibrant, while residents get access to gorgeous hiking trails, a world-class zoo, and one of the country’s best craft beer scenes.
New listings fuel affordability trend
Local trends mirror a national shift. New listings across the nation have climbed 27.6% year-over-year, and total for-sale homes have outpaced last year’s levels for 70 weeks in a row, Realtor.com® data shows. That steady build-up means buyers, in St. Louis and elsewhere, finally have negotiating power again.
"This continued rise in active inventory is in part due to less active buyers," says Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones. "With more choices available, buyers can afford to be more selective, putting pressure on sellers to price competitively."
Fresh listings are up 8.2% nationwide year-over-year, signaling that sellers are regaining confidence despite 30-year mortgage rates sitting at 6.86%, according to the latest Freddie Mac data. As Jones notes, new listings usually rise in spring and summer—but this year’s surge stands out.
Midwest cities are a stand-out for buyers
Geography plays a big role in why St. Louis ranks near the top of the list for value seekers. Of the 10 least expensive large metros identified by Realtor.com, six are in the Midwest. None are in the fast-appreciating West, where affordability continues to shrink. Instead, these Midwest cities—including St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Cleveland—lead for price-accessible living.
The No. 1 bargain spot nationally is Pittsburgh, with a median list price of $229,000. Major metros like Detroit and Cleveland follow closely behind. Buffalo, NY rounds out the top four, each boasting robust housing stock under $300,000. St. Louis claims its No. 5 position thanks to a combination of economic health, diverse amenities, and deep inventory across multiple price brackets.
"Low demand kept home prices well below the national level for the last 20 years," points out Jones when discussing Midwest affordability.
Buyers with moderate incomes, as well as those relocating from high-cost areas, are finding new hope in places like St. Louis, where budgets stretch further without sacrificing neighborhood character or lifestyle perks.
For sellers, the story is evolving. Greater inventory means more competition—and more incentive to stand out with competitive pricing and move-in-ready features. But for buyers, especially those shopping below the $500,000 mark, now is a window of real opportunity.
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Pittsburgh, PA
Median list price: $229,000
Listings <$300K: 424 -
Detroit, MI
Median list price: $239,900
Listings: <$300K: 1,670 -
Cleveland, OH
Median list price: $241,725
Listings: <$300K: 455 -
Buffalo, NY
Median list price: $249,974
Listings: <$300K: 180 -
St. Louis, MO
Median list price: $276,799
Listings: <$300K: 814 -
Birmingham, AL
Median list price: $285,000
Listings: <$300K: 535 -
Indianapolis, IN
Median list price: $300,000
Listings: <$300K: 552 -
Louisville, KY
Median list price: $309,950
Listings <$300K: 356 -
Oklahoma City, OK
Median list price: $314,992
Listings <$300K: 381 -
Cincinnati, OH
Median list price: $324,950
Listings: <$300K: 169
Julie Taylor is a reporter for Realtor.com. She was most recently a writer and co-executive producer on “The Talk” where she won two Daytime Emmy Awards. A member of the Writers Guild of America, Julie has written for Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Redbook magazines and is the author of six books. Julie earned a B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma. After two decades in New York City and Los Angeles, she recently relocated to the Midwest.
