Compass Real Estate
Sarah Johnson's Relocation Portal
Prepared by Marcus Chen · Compass Real Estate
Compare Cities
$
You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Denver, CO
$85.0K in your current city equals $98.5K in Denver, CO
Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from St. Louis, MO-IL area
Overall Cost
↑ 26.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,124
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$13.5K
Per year
Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.
St. Louis, MO
Population:302K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$145K
Denver, CO
Population:716K
Cost Index:126
Median Home:$513K
Cost Breakdown by Category
Annual spending: St. Louis, MO vs Denver, CO
| Category | St. Louis, MO | Denver, CO | Difference | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🏠Housing | $1,525/mo | $2,648/mo | ↑ $1,123more | 73.6% |
🚗Transportation | $991/mo | $1,191/mo | ↑ $200more | 20.2% |
📦Other | $1,310/mo | $1,446/mo | ↑ $136more | 10.4% |
🏥Healthcare | $429/mo | $515/mo | ↑ $85.85more | 20.0% |
🛒Groceries | $774/mo | $839/mo | ↑ $65.16more | 8.4% |
⚡All Utilities | $436/mo | $423/mo | ↓ $13.36less | 3.1% |
🏠Housing
↑ 73.6%
St. Louis, MO
$1,525
Denver, CO
$2,648
Difference
$1,123
more
🚗Transportation
↑ 20.2%
St. Louis, MO
$991
Denver, CO
$1,191
Difference
$200
more
📦Other
↑ 10.4%
St. Louis, MO
$1,310
Denver, CO
$1,446
Difference
$136
more
🏥Healthcare
↑ 20.0%
St. Louis, MO
$429
Denver, CO
$515
Difference
$85.85
more
🛒Groceries
↑ 8.4%
St. Louis, MO
$774
Denver, CO
$839
Difference
$65.16
more
⚡All Utilities
↓ 3.1%
St. Louis, MO
$436
Denver, CO
$423
Difference
$13.36
less
🏛️ Local Income Taxes
St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$850/yr (1.0%)
Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)
Net difference-$781/yr
Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.
🏠Rent Comparison
Studio
From$910
To$1,720
↑ $810
1 Bed
From$950
To$1,840
↑ $890
2 Bed
From$1,160
To$2,190
↑ $1,030
3 Bed
From$1,490
To$2,870
↑ $1,380
St. Louis, MOZIP-level data
1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo
Denver, COZIP-level data
1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/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.
$5,465
Monthly in St. Louis, MO
$7,062
Monthly in Denver, CO
$1,597
Difference