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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.3% cheaper than Boulder, CO. This translates to saving $1298 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Boulder, CO, you'd need approximately $134,418.484 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 33.1% cheaper than in Boulder, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,862/month in Boulder, CO.

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

Moving from Boulder, CO to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1298 per month, or $15582 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Boulder, 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 $134.4K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 17.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,298

Savings

Annual Impact

$15.6K

Per year

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

Boulder, CO

Population:106K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$938K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:83

Median Home:$145K

Boulder, CO

The Centennial State

106K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 106K 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: Boulder, CO vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Boulder, CO	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,796/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $925less	33.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,398/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $182less	13.0%
🏥Healthcare	$618/mo	$527/mo	↓ $91.43less	14.8%
📦Other	$1,697/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $90.23less	5.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,007/mo	$949/mo	↓ $57.31less	5.7%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$535/mo	↑ $27.81more	5.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 33.1%

Boulder, CO

$2,796

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$925

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.0%

Boulder, CO

$1,398

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$182

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.8%

Boulder, CO

$618

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$91.43

less

📦Other

↓ 5.3%

Boulder, CO

$1,697

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$90.23

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.7%

Boulder, CO

$1,007

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$57.31

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.5%

Boulder, CO

$508

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$27.81

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Boulder, 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$1,362

To$910

↓ $452

1 Bed

From$1,573

To$950

↓ $623

2 Bed

From$1,862

To$1,160

↓ $702

3 Bed

From$2,472

To$1,490

↓ $982

Boulder, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,910–$1,960/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.

$8,024

Monthly in Boulder, CO

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,319

Difference

Home Values

Boulder

St. Louis

$938K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +18.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$695K - $1.18M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 85% less expensive than Boulder

Calculate payment - Boulder 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

Boulder, 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

Boulder, 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.