Key factors that impact the cost of your Fort Collins to St. Louis move
What to know before moving from Fort Collins to St. Louis
Moving from Fort Collins to St. Louis comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since St. Louis is generally more expensive than Fort Collins, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Fort Collins | St. Louis | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,750 | $1,250 |
Average home value | $543,093 | $171,463 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,728 | $66,090 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,140 | $2,589 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,795 | $6,573 |
Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 6.3% |
Sales tax | 7.55% | 9.68% |
State income tax | 5.49% | 4.8% |
- Rent prices in St. Louis are 29% lower than in Fort Collins, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in St. Louis.
Home prices in St. Louis are 68.4% lower than in Fort Collins. - Income in St. Louis is 2.1% higher than in Fort Collins, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Louis include BJC HealthCare, Walmart, and Washington University.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in St. Louis, since the cost of living for a single person in St. Louis is 21.0% higher than in Fort Collins. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to St. Louis, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in St. Louis is 37.1% higher than in Fort Collins.
- The unemployment rate in St. Louis is 12.50% higher than in Fort Collins.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Louis, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Louis are 28.21% higher than in Fort Collins.
- One perk of moving to St. Louis is paying less in state income taxes, which are 12.57% lower than in Fort Collins.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,629.44 in St. Louis to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fort Collins.
How life is different in Fort Collins vs. St. Louis
St. Louis | Fort Collins | |
---|---|---|
Population | 293,310 | 169,810 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 4 |
Walkability score | 66 | 37 |
Bike friendliness score | 58 | 78 |
Crime Index | 69.65 | 17.0 |
Safety Index | 30.35 | 72.86 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of St. Louis is about 73% greater than Fort Collins, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- St. Louis offers better access to buses and trains than Fort Collins, based on public transportation ratings. St. Louis has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Fort Collins. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in St. Louis means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Fort Collins. St. Louis is considered more walkable than Fort Collins, with a score of 66 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Fort Collins. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- You probably wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in St. Louis, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Fort Collins. While Fort Collins has a bike-friendliness score of 78 out of 100, St. Louis earned a 58. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in St. Louis is higher than in Fort Collins, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 69.65 in St. Louis, it is 17.0 in Fort Collins. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in St. Louis. With a crime index of 30.35, St. Louis ranks lower in overall safety than Fort Collins, whose index is Fort Collins's 72.86. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in St. Louis isnโt as good as it is in Fort Collins, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. St. Louis has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Fort Collins is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Fort Collins vs. St. Louis move
- Weather: St. Louis experiences hot summers, cold winters, many thunderstorms, and tornados. There's a chance that the climate will affect your move so be sure to check the forecast ahead of time.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Missouri moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Missouri does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to St. Louis. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection, the budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers. This minimal coverage ensures that movers are liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per item. For a comprehensive coverage of your valuables, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider. Ensure the full value of your items is covered by consulting with the moving company for suitable alternatives.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in St. Louis
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Chess Capital of the World ", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in St. Louis.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central West End
- Downtown
- Lafayette Square
- Shaw
- Soulard
Best neighborhoods for families
- Hi-Pointe
- The Hill
- Lindenwood Park
- Shaw
- Skinker DeBaliviere
Things to do in St. Louis
After settling into your new Missouri home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, St. Louis has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: St. Louis is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the City Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, The Magic House, Saint Louis Science Center, and Missouri History Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park, and Lone Elk Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an St. Louis Cardinals Baseball (MLB), St. Louis Blues (NHL), St. Louis City SC (MLS), or St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to St. Louis?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Fort Collins to St. Louis are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Fort Collins are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Fort Collins to St. Louis?
With many people choosing to move from Fort Collins to St. Louis in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Fort Collins to St. Louis take?
Moving from Fort Collins, CO to St. Louis, MO covers 905 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Fort Collins movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Louis.