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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

St. Louis is 32% more expensive than Dayton.

$978/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 11%
$55,279/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 21%
$185,100 ↑ 99%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 50%
$1,013/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 18%
293,109
Population
136,741

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
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $112/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $1,344/year.

Median household income is $11,825/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Dayton — common questions

Is St. Louis or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Dayton?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $112/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Dayton?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $11,825/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 Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Dayton details →

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