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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Toledo

Ohio
52

St. Louis is 27% more expensive than Toledo.

$978/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$880/mo ↓ 10%
$55,279/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$47,532/yr ↓ 14%
$185,100 ↑ 73%
Home Value
$107,000 ↓ 42%
$1,013/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$856/mo ↓ 15%
293,109
Population
268,461

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
22.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Toledo, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 52 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $98/month cheaper in Toledo, saving renters about $1,176/year.

Median household income is $7,747/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $107,000 in Toledo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Toledo — common questions

Is St. Louis or Toledo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Toledo is cheaper to live in with an index of 52 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Toledo?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Toledo it's $880/month — a difference of $98/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Toledo?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $47,532 in Toledo. Median household income is $7,747/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 Toledo?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Toledo has a cost index of 52 with rent of $880/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Toledo details →

More Comparisons

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