Quick answer
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent ($1,100/mo vs $1,110/mo). State income tax: Ohio (Up to 3.99%) vs Missouri (5.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $1,692/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Missouri vs Ohio
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Missouri vs Ohio at a Glance
| Metric | Missouri | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,100 ✓ | $1,110 |
| Avg median home price | $235K | $228K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Kansas City ($1,100) | Cleveland ($1,050) ✓ |
| Priciest city | St. Louis ($1,100) | Columbus ($1,180) |
| State income tax | 5.4% | Up to 3.99% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 44/100 | 48/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 3 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Ohio (Up to 3.99%).
Salary $80K
$1,128
/year saved in Ohio
Salary $120K
$1,692
/year saved in Ohio
Salary $200K
$2,820
/year saved in Ohio
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Missouri (MO)
Tax reality
Missouri has a progressive state income tax up to 4.95%. Property tax is low-moderate (~0.9% effective). Sales tax 4.225% state + local to 8-9%. No estate tax.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summers are humid-subtropical — 90°F + 75% humidity from June through mid-September, plus severe thunderstorm season in spring.
- ✕Tornado risk is real. Missouri is in tornado alley and both Kansas City and St. Louis metros have had damaging tornadoes. Joplin (2011) was devastating.
- ✕St. Louis has real public safety concerns in specific city neighborhoods. North St. Louis has high violent crime; Central West End, The Hill, Soulard, and Tower Grove are generally fine. Knowing neighborhoods matters.
Ohio (OH)
Tax reality
Ohio has a flat 3.5% state income tax (being phased down). Property tax varies widely by school district — Cleveland area averages 2.1%, Columbus 1.8%, Cincinnati 1.7%. Sales tax 5.75% state plus local to 7.25-8.0%.
Top cities (3 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters are genuinely cold and long. Mid-November through March regularly sees subfreezing temps and lake-effect snow in Cleveland particularly (100+ inches annually). Columbus and Cincinnati are milder but still real winters.
- ✕Job market growth has been below US average for decades. If you need to change roles or industries, options are thinner than in Sun Belt cities.
- ✕Population has been flat-to-slightly-growing — not the high-growth story of TX or FL. Amenities, restaurants, and retail reflect that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri or Ohio cheaper to live in?
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,100/mo vs $1,110/mo in Ohio, a $10/mo difference. Home prices: Ohio median is $228K vs $235K.
Missouri vs Ohio: which has lower state income tax?
Ohio has lower state income tax (Up to 3.99%) vs 5.4% in Missouri. On an $80K salary that's $1,128/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $2,820/year.
Should I move from Missouri to Ohio?
Missouri has a progressive state income tax up to 4.95%. Property tax is low-moderate (~0.9% effective). Sales tax 4.225% state + local to 8-9%. No estate tax.
What are the best cities in Missouri vs Ohio?
Missouri's largest metros include Kansas City, St. Louis. Ohio's largest metros include Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Missouri suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.