Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Cleveland is 23% cheaper than St. Louis.

$894/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↑ 9%
$39,187/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↑ 41%
$94,100 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$185,100 ↑ 97%
$866/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↑ 17%
367,523
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.95%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $84/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $1,008/year.

Median household income is $16,092/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Cleveland or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and St. Louis?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $84/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or St. Louis?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $16,092/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Missouri?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with rent of $978/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View St. Louis details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and St. Louis

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage