The 5 Most Beautiful Places to Live In Missouri That Are Still Affordable

Missouri Welcomes You - a roadside sign at a state border with Illinois
© marekuliasz/Shutterstock.com

Written by Andrew Dupont

Published: November 2, 2023

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People move to Missouri for the amazing barbecue that can be found in St. Louis and Kansas City, the kind people, and the beautiful views the state has to offer. However, thanks to these facts getting out, parts of Missouri have shot up in value. It’s not unexpected, but now those who wish to move to the state are searching for new ways to do it. Thankfully, there are still some places that you can have it all in. Here are the top five places in Missouri you can live in for cheap and still get the beauty that comes along with it.

The Beautiful Columbia, Missouri

Columbia, Missouri

The University of Missouri is located in Columbia which means the quality of education for the city must be high.

©Onasill – Bill Badzo – Be Well / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 – Original / License

Starting our list is Columbia, Missouri, a place that values both education and being inexpensive. The University of Missouri is located in Columbia which means the quality of education for the city must be high. The university employs the most people in the city, and if you work for the school you prioritize education. Being around a college town is a fun vibe, especially when things are going well for the sports teams at the university. Columbia is also relatively cheap to live in, coming in at 14% cheaper than average in the United States. The surrounding area is beautiful and it’s only an hour and a half away from the famous Lake of the Ozarks. Adding Columbia to your list of beautiful, yet cheap places, is a must if you’re looking in Missouri.

Living in Clayton, Missouri Would Be A Dream

Clayton, Missouri

Clayton has tons of walking trails and is known for being one of the safest areas to raise a family in.

©Morgan Burke / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 – Original / License

One of the suburbs of St. Louis is Clayton, and you should take note of it. Compared to most of the surrounding area in St. Louis, it’s very affordable to live in, safe, and offers great education. It’s in the 90th percentile for cost-effectiveness, and the city graduates 99% of the students who attend high school. Clayton is close enough to the city of St. Louis that you can visit and enjoy yourself if you want to have a night on the town. Clayton has tons of walking trails and is known for being one of the safest areas to raise a family in. If you’re looking to start a new one, include Clayton in your search.

Chesterfield, Missouri Is Known For Being Beautiful

Chesterfield, Missouri

The Awakening is a work of art in Chesterfield, Missouri.

©Jennifer Morrow / CC BY 2.0 – Original / License

Bordering the state of Illinois is Chesterfield, Missouri. Chesterfield is known for being slightly more expensive than the national average, but it’s worth it. The city is home to the National Museum of Transportation and has some of the most spectacular open spaces next to it. You can easily get to St. Louis and Chicago if you’re looking for a fun night or weekend away. When you’re at home, you’ll enjoy a quiet town that loves to be outdoors. The seasons are always shown in Chesterfield. If you have a family, some of the best schools in Missouri are here. Chesterfield combines the outdoors with being close to a major city, something almost everyone wants.

You Can’t Go Wrong if You Want to Live in Ballwin, Missouri

Ballwin, Missouri

You can go hiking around Lone Elk Park and Castlewood State Park and enjoy what nature has to offer you.

©gobucks2 / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 – Original / License

St. Louis suburbs are known for being some of the nicest, and it shows on this list. Ballwin is another that ranks in the 90th percentile in terms of the cost index. You can get a quality education and enjoy the many spoils of St. Louis. There are beautiful golf courses to play at that are full of green and trees all around. You can go hiking around Lone Elk Park and Castlewood State Park and enjoy what nature has to offer you. Ballwin is also one of the safest cities in the United States, ranking almost 70% safer than others. There’s tons of wildlife like deer and elk walking around. Ballwin offers some great fishing ponds and chances to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Cottleville, Missouri Is Beautiful, Safe, and Cheap

If you’re looking to combine safety and cheap, Cottleville is the place for you. It’s $400 less in rent per month to live in Cottleville compared to the rest of the United States. Cottleville is also the safest city in the state of Missouri. Virtually no crime goes on in the city. Katy Trail State Park is a great place to hike around if you live in Cottleville. There’s also a trampoline park and plenty of gorgeous ponds and rivers to take in. Living somewhere that’s both cheap and safe is a blessing. Cottleville makes it easy to accomplish both of those things, while also being one of the most beautiful places.


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About the Author

Andrew Dupont is a writer who loves traveling and exploring during his free time. He tries to maintain at least one trip per month, loves seeing new animals, and appreciates learning about new areas.

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