Home › Compare › Cincinnati, OH vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Cincinnati, OH vs St. Louis, MO

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

2.2% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
7.5% 7.5% cheaper housing
0.0% 0.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 7.5% cheaper
Cincinnati
80
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Cincinnati
96
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Cincinnati
100
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Cincinnati
96
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 4.1% more
Cincinnati
98
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Cincinnati, OH St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index92902.2% less
Housing80747.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,0004.8% less
Median Home Price$215,000$185,00014.0% less
Groceries9696~Same
Transportation100100~Same
Healthcare9696~Same
Utilities981024.1% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Cincinnati, OH St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax3.50% (top)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax5.75%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.41%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Cincinnati, OH
$58,000
Median household income
St. Louis, MO
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: St. Louis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in St. Louis to maintain your Cincinnati lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Cincinnati (92) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati3.8%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Cincinnati2.4%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
CincinnatiManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Cincinnati24 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Cincinnati50
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Cincinnati44
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Cincinnati54°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Cincinnati309,317
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Cincinnati and St. Louis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in St. Louis →

Compare Other Cities

Cincinnati vs Austin → Cincinnati vs Denver → Cincinnati vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cincinnati or St. Louis cheaper to live in?+
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 7.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Cincinnati vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in Cincinnati and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $50 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Cincinnati or St. Louis?+
Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. Missouri has a state income tax of 4.80% (top) and sales tax of 4.23%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Cincinnati to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Cincinnati is $58,000 compared to $52,000 in St. Louis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Cincinnati vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Cincinnati is $215,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $30,000. Property tax rates also differ: Ohio averages 1.41% while Missouri averages 0.88%.