Median owner-occupied home value
$223,600
A broad benchmark for homes people own here—not a live asking price.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
All communities
Complete relocation guide
Moving to Festus
Growing Jefferson County regional city · housing, schools, commute, costs and everyday life
About this CityHub guideA growing Jefferson County service center with a traditional downtown, I‑55 access and varied housing.
The short version
Festus combines a historic Main Street, healthcare and retail with direct I‑55 access and newer growth around the edges. It functions jointly with neighboring Crystal City in daily life, while the exact municipal and school boundary still matters.
What stands out
Festus had an estimated 14,066 residents in 2025, up 10.2% from the 2020 estimate base, across 5.91 square miles. Downtown, I‑55 commercial corridors, parks and residential areas create a more complete small-city pattern than a typical bedroom suburb.
What to understand
The city is a practical Jefferson County hub, but regional St. Louis commutes remain car dependent. Citywide costs do not capture property condition, highway exposure or differences between older core housing and newer edges.
The essentials
At a glance
The local picture
A feel for Festus
These local estimates and CityHub editorial ratings are for comparison and orientation. They are not verified statistics or current prices.
Local snapshot
Best for & local character
People whose routines center on northern Jefferson CountyHouseholds wanting small-city services with interstate accessResidents comparing both older core homes and newer developmentHistoric Main StreetI‑55 accessRegional servicesGrowing
Highlights
- 14,066 residents in the 2025 Census estimate
- 10.2% growth from the 2020 estimate base
- $223,600 median owner-occupied value, 2020–2024
- 26.4-minute mean travel time to work, 2020–2024
How it scores
CityHub estimates, not official scores. Some ratings are generated from community characteristics.
Walkability · modeled48
Transit · modeled38
School context · modeled58
Nightlife & dining · modeled48
Parks & outdoors · modeled58
Arts & culture · modeled46
Quiet & peaceful · modeled60
The decision brief
Is Festus a good fit?
What stands out
Festus functions as a service center for its area, with healthcare, retail, civic functions and schools. If your daily life is in southern Jefferson County, compare homes by access to those services and your job.
Things to check
Car-dependent regional trips
Trips beyond the Festus–Crystal City area rely on I-55 and can change with peak traffic or incidents. Test the actual route from a prospective home on a normal weekday before accepting a longer commute.
Does this fit your actual move?
Compare Festus against your budget, commute, and priorities—or ask about a specific address.
Homes & housing
What does housing cost here?
Published Census estimates provide broad context where a reliable community-level figure is available. Check current homes or rentals for actual prices.
Owner-occupied homes
57.8%
The share of occupied homes lived in by their owners.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Median gross rent
$922/mo
Useful renter context—not a substitute for current available rentals.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Price is only part of the monthly payment
For a specific home, also account for the interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and condition. That’s why two homes with the same price tag can still cost very different amounts every month.
Plan the daily trip
Commute & getting around
The Census mean commute was 26.4 minutes. Test I‑55 at the actual travel time and map local alternatives.
Schools
Which schools serve this address?
The address—not the city name—determines the schools
Festus R-VI operates Festus Elementary, Festus Intermediate, Festus Middle School and Festus High School, creating a comparatively direct grade progression within one district. The bigger location check is whether a property is actually inside Festus R-VI rather than a neighboring district associated with the broader Festus mailing area. Once residency is confirmed, compare transportation, programs and activities along the shared district path.
1
Identify the district
Start with the property’s complete street address.
2
Check the boundary tool
Use the district’s official address or attendance lookup.
3
Confirm before deciding
Ask the district to verify the current assignment and enrollment details.
Missouri DESE school directory and map
DESE says its maps are for reference; confirm official boundaries with county authorities and the district.
How people spend free time
Parks & recreation
West City Park and Larry G. Crites Memorial Park support municipal sports and outdoor recreation.
Errands, routines & convenience
Everyday life
Festus and neighboring Crystal City share many shopping, healthcare and service routines.
Direct answers for movers
Questions about moving to Festus
What is it like to live in Festus?+
Festus had an estimated 14,066 residents in 2025, up 10.2% from the 2020 estimate base, across 5.91 square miles. Downtown, I‑55 commercial corridors, parks and residential areas create a more complete small-city pattern than a typical bedroom suburb. The city is a practical Jefferson County hub, but regional St. Louis commutes remain car dependent. Citywide costs do not capture property condition, highway exposure or differences between older core housing and newer edges. Festus fits people centered on northern Jefferson County who want local services and interstate access.
What should I know about housing costs in Festus?+
The published median value of owner-occupied homes (data as of 2024-12-31) is $223,600 in Festus. That describes existing homes in a survey period, not current listings or the homes available within your budget. Compare actual properties and their condition.
SourceWhat should movers know about schools in Festus?+
Festus R-VI operates Festus Elementary, Festus Intermediate, Festus Middle School and Festus High School, creating a comparatively direct grade progression within one district. The bigger location check is whether a property is actually inside Festus R-VI rather than a neighboring district associated with the broader Festus mailing area. Once residency is confirmed, compare transportation, programs and activities along the shared district path. Confirm the current school assignment and enrollment rules directly with the district for the specific address.
Use the Missouri DESE school directoryWhat is commuting from Festus like?+
The Census mean commute was 26.4 minutes. Test I‑55 at the actual travel time and map local alternatives.
What costs should I consider before moving to Festus?+
The published median gross rent (data as of 2024-12-31) is $922/month in Festus. This is a survey measure, not a current rental quote. Check current offers, utilities, insurance and travel costs for the exact home.
SourceWhat should I verify before choosing a home in Festus?+
Trips beyond the Festus–Crystal City area rely on I-55 and can change with peak traffic or incidents. Test the actual route from a prospective home on a normal weekday before accepting a longer commute. Festus Main Street District is one documented local destination; check the route and current access from the home you are considering. Confirm school assignment, property condition and recurring costs for the exact address.
Keep narrowing the decision
Put Festus in context.
The community guide tells you about this place. These guides help answer whether this is the right kind of place for your move.
Build around the commute
Compare Festus around the trips your household will actually make.
Read guideWhere should you live in St. Louis?
Start with the life you want and use that to narrow the region.
Read guideMore house for the money
Decide whether more space, a bigger lot, another bedroom or a lower payment is the real goal.
Read guideUnderstand the geography
Map of Festus
See where Festus sits in the St. Louis region, then open named local places for directions and surrounding context.
Mapped places in this guide
6 verified locationsFestus Main Street District100 E Main St, Festus, MO 63028Festus Memorial Airport900 Airport Rd, Festus, MO 63028Larry G. Crites Memorial Park2232 Old State Hwy A, Festus, MO 63028West City Park2232 Old State Hwy A, Festus, MO 63028Festus Public Library400 W Main St, Festus, MO 63028Festus City Hall711 W Main St, Festus, MO 63028
This map is for orientation. Confirm municipal, school, floodplain, and parcel boundaries with the appropriate official source.
Around town
Places to know
Parks, civic resources, recreation, and recognizable destinations that help explain everyday life in Festus.
Parks & outdoors
2 placesparks
Larry G. Crites Memorial Park
Municipal park with trails, fields and event facilities.
2232 Old State Hwy A, Festus, MO 63028
Official details parks
West City Park
Large municipal park and recreation complex.
2232 Old State Hwy A, Festus, MO 63028
Official details Shopping & errands
1 placeshopping
Festus Main Street District
Traditional downtown commercial and civic corridor.
100 E Main St, Festus, MO 63028
Official details Civic & everyday
3 placesservices
Festus Memorial Airport
City-owned general aviation airport.
900 Airport Rd, Festus, MO 63028
Official details services
Festus Public Library
Public library serving Festus residents.
400 W Main St, Festus, MO 63028
Official details services
Festus City Hall
Municipal government center for Festus.
711 W Main St, Festus, MO 63028
Official details Don’t choose in a vacuum
Compare nearby alternatives
Compare Washington
Washington offers a stronger riverfront downtown and Franklin County orientation.
Compare Eureka
Eureka provides I‑44 access, wooded terrain and higher citywide housing values.
Compare Arnold
Arnold is closer to St. Louis County and offers a larger suburban retail base.
Sources, dates & how we got here2 sources · expand
CityHub separates sourced facts from editorial guidance. Official data may describe different time periods; each fact shows its represented date when available.