📊 Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Fort Collins and St. Louis
Head-to-Head Analysis
Fort Collins vs St. Louis
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
📋 The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Fort Collins | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $81,883 | $56,245 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3% | 3% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $555,000 | $235,000 |
| Price per SqFt | $242 | $151 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $1,350 | $972 |
| Housing Cost Index | 116.9 | 102.9 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 94.3 | 87.7 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $2.26 | $3.40 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 289.0 | 1927.0 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47% | 45% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 34 | 44 |
AI Verdict: The Bottom Line
Both cities have a similar cost of living (within 5%).
You could earn significantly more in Fort Collins (+46% median income).
Fort Collins has a significantly lower violent crime rate (85% lower).
Analysis based on current data snapshot. Individual results may vary.
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
Moving from Fort Collins to St. Louis: What You Need to Know
Deciding between Fort Collins and St. Louis? This data-driven analysis breaks down the key differences in cost of living, housing, and quality of life to help you make the right choice.
1. Cost of Living Analysis
Both cities have a very similar cost of living. Your daily expenses in Fort Collins will be roughly the same as in St. Louis.
2. Housing Costs
Housing is the biggest factor here. St. Louis offers much more affordable housing options.
The housing cost index in Fort Collins is 116.9, compared to 102.9 in St. Louis.
3. Income Potential
The median household income in Fort Collins is $81,883, while in St. Louis it is $56,245.
Workers in Fort Collins typically earn 45.6% more. Be sure to balance this against the cost of living.
4. Safety
Statistically, Fort Collins has a lower violent crime rate.
The Verdict
Fort Collins combines affordability with a strong quality of life score. It's an excellent choice for value seekers.
Real move decision
If this comparison is tied to a job offer, do these next
St. Louis is the more expensive city, so a bigger headline salary may still need a counteroffer once taxes, housing, and relocation costs are modeled.
Decode an offer in St. Louis
Use Offer Decoder to test whether moving from Fort Collins to St. Louis actually improves your leftover cash after tax, rent, and benefits.
Build your counteroffer
Use the counteroffer guide when the package is close, but city costs or first-year move friction mean you still need more.
Set a walk-away number
Turn the salary gap and cost-of-living difference between Fort Collins and St. Louis into a defensible negotiation target.
Follow the relocation workflow
Use the full guide if this comparison is part of a real job move, not just casual browsing.
Planning a Move?
Use our AI-powered calculator to estimate your expenses from Fort Collins to St. Louis.