When you think of booming home prices, places like Ladue (63124) or Clayton (63105) probably come to mind. But looking at home price appreciation in the St. Louis area from 2000 to 2024 tells a different story… and it might surprise you. At the top of the list? Benton Park and St. Louis Hills. Yes, you read that right, 63118 and 63109 outpaced every other zip code on the list, including the ones most associated with wealth.
Homes in 63118 jumped a staggering 554% since 2000, while 63109 rose 184%. Meanwhile, Ladue came in at just 109% growth and Clayton even lower at 77%. For reference, the median home price in 63124 rose from $551,000 to $1.15 million, while Benton Park soared from $35,950 to $235,000. Sure, Ladue homes are still worth far more, but percentage-wise, the growth in some of the city’s more modest neighborhoods has been off the charts.
So what’s driving this? It’s all about starting points and shifts. Many of these top-performing zip codes had very low home values two decades ago. As urban areas like Benton Park saw revitalization, investor interest, and a wave of younger buyers wanting walkability and charm, home values responded accordingly. Add in a limited supply and rising demand, and you’ve got a recipe for skyrocketing percentages.
On the flip side, high-end areas like Ladue and Clayton already had elevated home prices in 2000. A million-dollar home today might have been $500k back then, but that’s still just a doubling in price. Wealthier neighborhoods simply didn’t have the same room for percentage growth, even though home values there are still some of the highest in the region.
It’s also worth noting that all the zip codes in the table below were chosen based on affordability — or lack of it. These are the 10 zip codes in the St. Louis area where home prices are the least affordable relative to household income. So whether the neighborhood is a luxury enclave or a gentrifying part of the city, affordability is tight across the board.
If you’re wondering what this means for your home value or where your next investment should be, this list might offer some new inspiration. Sometimes the “sleepers” turn out to be the best long-term bets.
MORE, REALTORS® has access to the most up-to-date data and local expertise to help you make smart decisions in this ever-shifting market.
