Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $866 in Missouri versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Missouri, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,279 in Missouri and $51,707 in Ohio — about 6% higher in Missouri. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.225%
5.75%
+1.5 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
2.75%
+2.0 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$866
$817
+6% in Missouri
Median Home Value
$185,100
$215,300
+16% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,279
$51,707
+6% in Missouri
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
56.3°F
52.7°F
+3.6°F in Missouri
Missouri vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 6% below Missouri's $866, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Missouri than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Missouri versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Missouri or Ohio?
- Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Missouri/Ohio — 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.