What it's like to live in Bridgeton
Bridgeton is a small city in Missouri with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Bridgeton deals with crime rates above the national average, cold winters, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Short commutes
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- Cold winters
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Bridgeton compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Bridgeton
Based on Bridgeton's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,344
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $46,880 a year
- 41% of Bridgeton renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$47,540
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $23,770
- Homes cost 3.3× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 17% below US
$1,172/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,172 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $237,700. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $237,700 · 41% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.1% county unemployment
Unemployment in St. Louis County is 4.1%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
St. Louis County (county-wide)
Safety▲ 89% above US
621 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 3816/100k · Bridgeton Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 18% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 13% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 88°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 27°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
36% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 36% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
3 public schools inside the boundary
There are 3 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site (15 miles away). There are 6 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Bridgeton's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and cold winters. A year of median rent ($1,172/mo) equals 20% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Bridgeton
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