Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Arvada, CO?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.7% cheaper than Arvada, CO. This translates to saving $1331 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Arvada, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Arvada, CO, you'd need approximately $134,033.416 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Arvada, CO and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 33.4% cheaper than in Arvada, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,594/month in Arvada, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Arvada, CO to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Arvada, CO to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1331 per month, or $15967 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Arvada, CO vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Arvada, CO — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Denver, CO area

Current salary in Arvada, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $134.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area

Overall Cost

↓ 17.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,331

Savings

Annual Impact

$16.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Arvada, CO

Population:121K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$570K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:82

Median Home:$145K

Arvada, CO

The Centennial State

121K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 121K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Arvada, CO vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Arvada, CO	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,811/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $940less	33.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,405/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $190less	13.5%
📦Other	$1,706/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $99.05less	5.8%
🏥Healthcare	$620/mo	$527/mo	↓ $93.04less	15.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,009/mo	$949/mo	↓ $59.92less	5.9%
⚡All Utilities	$509/mo	$535/mo	↑ $26.49more	5.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 33.4%

Arvada, CO

$2,811

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$940

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.5%

Arvada, CO

$1,405

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$190

less

📦Other

↓ 5.8%

Arvada, CO

$1,706

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$99.05

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.0%

Arvada, CO

$620

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$93.04

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.9%

Arvada, CO

$1,009

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$59.92

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.2%

Arvada, CO

$509

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$26.49

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Arvada, CO has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,254

To$910

↓ $344

1 Bed

From$1,340

To$950

↓ $390

2 Bed

From$1,594

To$1,160

↓ $434

3 Bed

From$2,088

To$1,490

↓ $598

Arvada, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,000/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,060

Monthly in Arvada, CO

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,355

Difference

Home Values

Arvada

St. Louis

$570K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +21.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$519K - $629K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 75% less expensive than Arvada

Calculate payment - Arvada Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.3K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$111

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.9%

Rate difference

Arvada, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Arvada, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.