St. Louis, MO Has Emerged As A 'Refuge' Market, Perfect For a Frugal Homebuyer

"St. Louis is getting fresh recognition as a top metro for savvy buyers. The Realtor.com® November 2025 Housing Trends Report found that buyers nationwide are recalibrating their expectations amid higher mortgage costs and a slower-moving market. With affordability stretched thin in many larger and more popular metros, more prospective buyers and investors are turning toward "refuge markets"-traditionally budget-friendly cities that still offer attainable home prices."

"According to the report, the median list price in St. Louis reached $291,900 in November, up 0.7% year-over-year. While the city's pricing remains comfortably below the U.S. median of $415,000, its price-per-square-foot growth reveals the stronger underlying story. PPSF rose 5.0% year-over-year-far above the national PPSF decline of 1.0%."

"St. Louis also shows meaningful longer-term strength. Since 2022, PPSF has climbed 7.7%, a gain that reflects consistent demand from cost-conscious buyers seeking alternatives to pricier regions. The city appears in the Realtor.com® Top 10 refuge markets based on annual PPSF growth, grouped with metros like Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Louisville-all places where buyers are finding financial breathing room."

"Among nearby peers, Louisville is the closest geographically and another standout refuge market. Louisville posted 3.7% PPSF growth year-over-year and 9.7% growth since 2022. Compared to Louisville, St. Louis continues to offer even more budget-friendly overall home prices while logging a stronger year-over-year PPSF increase. Additionally, the city's active listings climbed 11.0% year-over-year, with new listings up 8.9%."

Median list price in St. Louis reached $291,900 in November, rising 0.7% year-over-year while remaining below the U.S. median of $415,000. Price-per-square-foot (PPSF) increased 5.0% year-over-year, outpacing the national PPSF decline of 1.0%, and has climbed 7.7% since 2022. St. Louis ranks among top refuge markets for annual PPSF growth, alongside Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Louisville. Louisville posted 3.7% PPSF growth year-over-year and 9.7% since 2022, while St. Louis maintains lower overall prices and stronger recent PPSF gains. Active listings rose 11.0% year-over-year and new listings increased 8.9%.

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