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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Akron

Ohio
55

St. Louis is 20% more expensive than Akron.

$978/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$930/mo ↓ 5%
$55,279/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$48,544/yr ↓ 12%
$185,100 ↑ 66%
Home Value
$111,200 ↓ 40%
$1,013/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$904/mo ↓ 11%
293,109
Population
189,526

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Akron, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 55 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $6,735/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $111,200 in Akron.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Akron — common questions

Is St. Louis or Akron cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Akron is cheaper to live in with an index of 55 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Akron?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Akron it's $930/month — a difference of $48/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Akron?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $48,544 in Akron. Median household income is $6,735/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Ohio?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Akron?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Akron has a cost index of 55 with rent of $930/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Akron details →

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