Quick answer
St. Louis costs $430/month less overall ($1,580 vs $2,010/mo). But Colorado Springs's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $440/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Colorado Springs vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $350/month difference, or $4,200/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Colorado Springs charges 4.4% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $440/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $50,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $20 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Colorado Springs, CO
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Colorado Springs. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Colorado Springs
High altitude (6,000 ft) creates cooler summers (75-85°F) and cold, snowy winters (10-25 inches annual snowfall); 300+ sunny days per year; dry desert-like conditions most of year; wildfire risk in surrounding forests; thin air at altitude requires acclimatization
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Colorado Springs if…
- →You're a Military families
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts / climbers
- →You're a Aerospace professionals
- →You're a People seeking altitude and outdoor access
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $430/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or St. Louis?
St. Louis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $440/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Colorado Springs or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $250,000 difference on the median home.