A couple preparing for retirement in St. Louis began looking at homes. Their goal was clear: a single-story house, commonly known as a ranch house. With their knees not what they used to be, they wanted to eliminate stairs. However, after touring several homes, their focus shifted. While a single-story home solves the stair issue, they realized that the larger lot size still incurs costs for lawn maintenance, roofing, and exterior upkeep. Ultimately, the couple had to compare whether to maintain a single-family home or move to a condo or townhome.

The first thing to consider is heating and cooling costs. St. Louis has a continental climate, with an average summer daytime temperature of 89.8°F and a January nighttime average dropping to 21.2°F (based on data from the National Weather Service St. Louis station). This means that both cooling and heating need to be run at high intensity. Electricity is supplied by Ameren Missouri, with rates effective from June 2025 set at 15.60 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in summer, and in winter, the first 750 kWh is charged at 10.62 cents, with subsequent usage at 7.14 cents. The base fee is $9 per month (according to Ameren Missouri's official rate schedule). Single-family homes have a larger area for heating and cooling, so even with the same rate, the total cost can be significantly higher.

Here's a breakdown by housing type:

• Single-family home - Larger heating and cooling area leads to higher electric and gas bills, plus separate monthly costs for lawn, roofing, and exterior maintenance. However, there are little to no HOA fees.
• Townhome - Shares walls, reducing heating and cooling loss, and the HOA handles exterior maintenance. However, monthly HOA fees are required.
• Condo/Active Senior Community - The least maintenance burden and smaller heating and cooling area, but HOA fees are often the highest.

Price differences are also significant. The median price for single-family homes in the St. Louis area is $314,900, which is a 12.5% increase from a year ago. In contrast, the median price for condos and townhomes is $230,000, which has actually decreased by 3.2% (according to real estate data from Steadily 2026). This means that with the same budget, there is much more flexibility with condos or townhomes. However, the inventory of condos and townhomes has increased significantly in the past year, creating a buyer's market, so there is no rush to make a decision.

Property taxes cannot be overlooked. Missouri has a property tax freeze program (SB190 Senior Freeze) for homeowners aged 62 and older. This program locks in the property tax at a certain level based on a specific year, but its adoption varies by county, and reapplication is required each year. If income exceeds $36,490, the homeowner is excluded for that year. There is also a program for those aged 65 and older with low income that allows for a tax credit of up to $750 (according to St. Louis city property tax reduction program data). However, the criteria for application may differ between St. Louis city and St. Louis County, so it is best to check directly with the local assessor's office for accurate eligibility.

The option of an Active Senior Community (55+ community) is also worth considering. These housing developments are designed for residents aged 55 and older, with management companies handling external maintenance like lawn care and snow removal, and shared amenities like clubhouses and gyms. However, the operational costs for these amenities are often included in the HOA fees, making the monthly costs higher than pure condos. There are several such communities in the St. Louis metro area, and the HOA fees can vary greatly depending on location and amenities, so it is advisable to check the management fee details for each listing.

Home insurance premiums should also be taken into account. Single-family homes tend to have higher insurance costs because the owner is responsible for the entire roof and exterior. In contrast, condos are covered by the HOA's master insurance for the building's exterior, but owners need to obtain separate HO-6 insurance for their individual living spaces.

Ultimately, like this couple, if you only focus on the stairs and choose a single-story home, you may overlook the larger variables of maintenance costs and heating and cooling expenses. Whether to enjoy a large yard while maintaining a single-family home or to reduce maintenance burdens at the cost of HOA fees depends on personal lifestyle and budget. This is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with real estate and tax professionals before making any contracts or applications.