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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 20.9% cheaper than Denver, CO. This translates to saving $1568 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Denver, CO, you'd need approximately $131,181.818 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 42.4% cheaper than in Denver, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,190/month in Denver, CO.

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

Moving from Denver, CO to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1568 per month, or $18818 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Denver, CO

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Denver, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.6K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $131.2K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 20.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,568

Savings

Annual Impact

$18.8K

Per year

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

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$513K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:79

Median Home:$145K

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

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: Denver, CO vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Denver, CO	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,248/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,377less	42.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,462/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $246less	16.8%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $167less	9.4%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$527/mo	↓ $105less	16.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.94less	7.8%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$535/mo	↑ $16.39more	3.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 42.4%

Denver, CO

$3,248

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,377

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 16.8%

Denver, CO

$1,462

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$246

less

📦Other

↓ 9.4%

Denver, CO

$1,774

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$167

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 16.7%

Denver, CO

$632

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$105

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.8%

Denver, CO

$1,029

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$79.94

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.2%

Denver, CO

$519

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$16.39

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

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

Net difference+$1,431/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,720

To$910

↓ $810

1 Bed

From$1,840

To$950

↓ $890

2 Bed

From$2,190

To$1,160

↓ $1,030

3 Bed

From$2,870

To$1,490

↓ $1,380

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/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.

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,959

Difference

Home Values

Denver

St. Louis

$513K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -4.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +13%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$352K - $933K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 72% less expensive than Denver

Calculate payment - Denver 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

Denver, 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

Denver, 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.