Find a Financial Advisor in St. Louis County

What St. Louis County is, and what it is not

St. Louis County is a county of nearly a million people that wraps around the City of St. Louis on its north, west and south sides. The city is not part of the county. In 1876 the city separated from the county and became an independent city, and the two have remained separate governments ever since. The county seat is Clayton. Inside the county are dozens of municipalities, from Florissant in the north to Kirkwood and Webster Groves in the older inner ring, and from Chesterfield and Wildwood in the far west to Ballwin and Maryland Heights in between.

That split matters to personal finances. Property taxes, school districts, sales tax rates and local services differ by municipality. County residents who work inside the city boundary generally owe the City of St. Louis earnings tax, which is levied on earnings in the city rather than on where you live. Confirm how it applies to you with the city’s collector of revenue or a tax professional, especially if you work remotely part of the week.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, median household income in the county is about $82,936 and per capita income is about $51,977. The median home value is $276,800, median gross rent is $1,209 and the median owner with a mortgage pays about $1,753 a month. About 69.2 percent of homes are owner occupied, 47.4 percent of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, the median age is 40.3 and 19.1 percent of residents are 65 or older. Unemployment in the period was 4.3 percent. The Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate for population is about 991,000.

Who employs St. Louis County

The county has a mix of corporate headquarters, defense and manufacturing, health care and financial services. Emerson has its headquarters in Ferguson, Centene and Enterprise Mobility are based in Clayton, and Edward Jones, a large brokerage firm, is headquartered in Des Peres. Mercy, one of the nation’s large health systems, is headquartered in Chesterfield, and Boeing’s defense operations have a large site near the airport. Universities including Maryville University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis add education jobs, and Washington University sits just across the city line.

Those employers shape household finance. Corporate employees often hold stock awards and deferred pay. Defense workers may have pensions, and health care workers may have 403(b) plans. Our investing guide explains how to spread risk if your paycheck and savings depend on one company.

Financial advisors in St. Louis County

St. Louis is a financial services town, so the county has many advisors: independent firms in Clayton and Creve Coeur, bank and brokerage offices across the west county, and advisors who serve clients by video from elsewhere. That variety helps, but it also makes choosing harder.

Start with how an advisor is paid. Fee-only advisors collect money only from clients. Others may earn commissions from products they sell, which is allowed but creates a conflict you should understand. Ask whether the advisor acts as a fiduciary for all advice, and what the full annual cost is. Our financial advisor guide lists what to ask. A first call with an advisor who serves this area is typically free.

Missouri taxes, in plain terms

Confirm current rules with the Missouri Department of Revenue or a tax professional, as rates and exemptions change.

Income tax. Missouri taxes income with a graduated schedule, and the top rate has been lowered in recent years by law. Most of your planning will focus on federal tax, but state rules affect retirement account withdrawals.

Social Security. Missouri has phased out its tax on Social Security benefits, so for most retirees the state does not tax them. Pension and IRA income can still be taxed, and some deductions depend on age and income.

No estate or inheritance tax. Missouri has neither, so only the federal estate tax applies, and it affects a small share of families. Wills, trusts and beneficiary forms still matter for avoiding probate and keeping control. See our estate planning guide.

Property tax. Assessments are updated on a regular cycle, and the county saw sharp increases in assessed values after a reassessment in recent years. Homeowners can appeal, and some older or disabled residents may qualify for a property tax credit. Ask the county assessor about eligibility.

City earnings tax. As described above, work inside the City of St. Louis can trigger the city’s earnings tax even if you live in the county.

Retirement planning in St. Louis County

With 19.1 percent of residents age 65 or older, the county has a higher share of retirees than many large counties. Many longtime homeowners in Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Florissant and Ballwin are at or near retirement age, and they face the same questions in the same order.

First, how much will you spend? Housing costs for people who own outright are low, but taxes, insurance and repairs continue. Second, where will income come from? Social Security, pensions from manufacturing or the airline and defense industries, and IRA withdrawals each play a role. Third, how will you pay for health care before and after Medicare? Fourth, will you stay or move?

• Staying put. Aging in place often means updating a bathroom, adding a bedroom on the first floor or paying for help at home.
• Downsizing. Selling a large house in west county can free cash, but capital gains rules, moving costs and a smaller home’s price all matter.
• Moving away. Some retirees move closer to family or to a warmer state. Include the cost of keeping a house during the sale.

Our retirement planning guide walks through a basic income plan.

Wealth management in St. Louis County

Wealth management brings together investing, tax planning, estate planning and insurance. It suits households with significant assets or more complicated finances: executives, physicians, owners of family businesses, and families who have inherited property.

Fees usually run as a percentage of assets, falling at higher balances. Some firms charge flat retainers. Ask what is included, such as tax return review or estate coordination, and ask for the all-in cost with fund fees.

In St. Louis, a number of family-owned companies in construction, food distribution, brewing supply and manufacturing are now in the second or third generation. Succession planning for those firms is a regular topic, including who will run the business, who will own it and how siblings who are not involved will be treated.

Housing and cost of living

A median home value of $276,800 is well below many metro areas, so St. Louis County offers a lower cost of living for professional incomes. Prices differ widely: older brick homes in University City, Maplewood and Kirkwood, ranch houses in Florissant and Hazelwood, and newer large homes in Chesterfield and Wildwood.

Lower housing costs can speed up savings if the difference is invested. A household earning near the county median income of $82,936 and spending a moderate share on housing has room to contribute to a 401(k), an IRA and a college fund. Our budgeting and saving guide shows a simple way to automate this.

Older homes bring costs of their own. Plan for roofs, sewer laterals, windows and furnace replacement. Basement moisture and aging clay pipes are common across the older suburbs.

Financial planners in St. Louis County

A financial planner builds a written plan that connects goals to numbers. For a household in Maryland Heights with two jobs, two children and a mortgage, the plan might show how much to save each month, which account to use first and what insurance is needed. Planners may charge a flat fee, an hourly rate or a share of assets. A CFP credential means the planner has met education, exam, experience and ethics requirements.

Life insurance in St. Louis County

Life insurance should match your family’s needs. A couple in Ballwin with a mortgage and two children might want a 20 or 30 year term policy that covers the mortgage and replaces income until the children are grown. Permanent insurance fits narrower uses, such as leaving money to heirs or funding a business buy-sell agreement. Group coverage from an employer is useful but typically ends when you leave, so check whether you own a separate policy. Read our life insurance guide for the basics.

Investment advisors in St. Louis County

Investment advisors manage portfolios, usually for a percentage of assets. Registered investment advisers owe clients a fiduciary duty, and you can look up a firm’s registration and disciplinary record before you sign. Compare the fee to the services provided. A one percent fee on $400,000 is $4,000 a year, so ask what the advisor does that you could not do with a few low-cost index funds.

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How to choose a financial advisor in St. Louis County

Set your priorities before you start interviews. Do you want investment management, a one-time plan or ongoing coaching? Then screen candidates with these steps:

1. Check registration and any disciplinary history in public databases.
2. Ask for a fee schedule in writing, with the total in dollars.
3. Ask who will serve you and how often you will talk.
4. Request a sample plan or report.
5. Interview at least two advisors before choosing.

Advisors who serve St. Louis County can work by phone or video, so you can compare firms from across the region.

Floods, tornadoes and earthquakes

St. Louis County sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and the Meramec River, which flows through the southern part of the county, has flooded homes and businesses in past years. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms with hail also occur, and the region lies within the range of the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Standard homeowners insurance generally excludes flood and earthquake damage, so ask about separate coverage if you live near the river or have an older brick house. Keep records of your belongings and review your coverage each year.

Municipalities, school districts and tax bills

The county is a patchwork. Dozens of municipalities, many served by their own fire districts, and more than twenty school districts mean two houses with the same price can carry very different annual bills. Clayton, Ladue and Kirkwood are known for their schools, and homes in those areas often sell at a premium. Hazelwood, Ferguson and Normandy cover a wide range of neighborhoods with prices that start much lower.

Before you buy or move, build a short comparison:

• Property tax. Ask for the last two bills on any house, and ask whether a recent sale changed the assessed value.
• Municipal charges. Some cities add trash fees, utility taxes or a local sales tax, and the combined sales tax rate differs between municipalities.
• Commute. Interstate 64, Interstate 44, Interstate 270 and the MetroLink line each serve different parts of the county. Time and fuel are real costs.
• Insurance. Premiums for wind and hail damage have risen in the region, so get a quote before you make an offer.

Health care, universities and steady employers

Large health systems, medical practices and the academic medical centers at the edge of the county employ physicians, nurses and administrators. Doctors in particular often face a late start to saving, high student debt and a need for disability insurance in their first years. A plan that pays down loans while still capturing an employer retirement match can set up a strong second decade. Nurses and technicians may have access to 403(b) plans with limited fund menus, so it helps to check the fees inside the options.

Families sending children to college can compare Missouri’s 529 plan and others in our college savings guide. Maryville and the University of Missouri-St. Louis give local students lower-cost options, and an advisor can show how the choice of school changes the savings target.

Areas we serve in St. Louis County

Advisors who serve the county work with residents in Ballwin, Chesterfield, Florissant, Kirkwood, Maryland Heights, University City and Wildwood, along with Clayton, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Ferguson and the rest of the county. This page covers St. Louis County only. The City of St. Louis, which stands apart from the county, has its own page. Meetings are by phone or video.

Frequently asked questions