Midwest Standing Ground: 134 Years of Affordable U.S. Home Prices Highlight St. Louis Advantage

A Fed-backed study analyzing 2.7 million listings from 1890–2006 shows St. Louis, and the Midwest, have stayed far more affordable than coastal cities over 134 years. Inflation-adjusted prices in St. Louis rose about 6%, versus about 1,000% in San Diego/Los Angeles and 354% nationally, due to long-running housing supply, abundant land, slower population growth, and zoning differences. Today St. Louis County median prices are ~$313k and the City ~$240k, with rents near $1,200 and typical 30-year mortgage payments around $1,500 after a down payment and current rates, and roughly 60% of area homes remain affordable per Zillow.