St. Louis still offers one of the planet’s easiest on‑ramps to homeownership—owners here spend just 22% of income on housing, a steal next to the U.S. average of 36%. It’s a big part of why the city ranks #13 in our Housing Affordability subcategory and why talent and capital are pouring in. Especially as the $1.7‑billion National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency HQ begins its phased move‑in this fall, bringing 3,100 high‑skill jobs and a catalytic innovation district to North City. This is on top of an already solid #16 ranking in our Large Companies subcategory.
Downtown, the $256‑million AC Next Gen expansion wraps in late 2025, adding 72,000 square feet of exhibit space, a river‑facing outdoor plaza and a 61,000‑square-foot ballroom—fuel for the region’s record $5.8‑billion visitor spend in 2024. The parks renaissance continues: the Brickline Greenway is building out its Market Street connection to CityPark and Harris‑Stowe State University, stitching together 14 neighborhoods by 2030 and improving on the already impressive Top 20 walkability. Transit upgrades are next, although new Mayor Cara Spenser has just paused the $1.1‑billion north‑south MetroLink Green Line to assess its viability and competitiveness in the current political climate.