Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,305 in Colorado versus $866 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 34% cheaper on rent than Colorado, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,364 in Colorado and $55,279 in Missouri — about 35% higher in Colorado. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
2.9%
4.225%
+1.3 pp in Missouri
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
4.70%
+0.3 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,305
$866
+34% in Colorado
Median Home Value
$586,700
$185,100
+68% in Colorado
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,364
$55,279
+35% in Colorado
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.2°F
56.3°F
+6.1°F in Missouri
Colorado vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Colorado or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 34% below Colorado's $1,305, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado than in Missouri?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Colorado versus $35,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Colorado or Missouri?
- Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Colorado/Missouri — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.