Nearby city: St. Louis Population: 11,194 Median family income: $70,668 Avg. school math score: 83.79 (State avg.: 54.13) Avg. school reading score: 76.91 (State avg.: 51.68)
The culture, music, and jobs of St. Louis—not to mention the World Series-winning Cardinals–may be only 13 miles away, but the suburban community of Crestwood, as the town website points out, offers lower tax rates and better municipal services. It is part of the Lindbergh School district, which was the state’s first to offer the International Baccalaureate program.