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Columbus vs St. Louis

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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St. Louis is 2% cheaper than Columbus overall.Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 vs St. Louis at 88 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Columbus costs 11% more.

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Columbus
OH
90
COLI index
VS
St. Louis
MO
88
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryColumbusSt. LouisDifference
Overall COLI9088-2%
Housing9080-11%
Groceries101101Same
Transport101100-1%
Healthcare101102+1%
Utilities106107+1%

Median 1BR Rent

Columbus
$1,200/mo
St. Louis
$1,050/mo

Median Home Price

Columbus
$245,000
St. Louis
$205,000

Median Household Income

Columbus
$56,776
St. Louis
$48,438

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Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis is cheaper to live in overall. Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 while St. Louis has an index of 88, where 100 represents the US national average. St. Louis is 2% cheaper than Columbus overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Columbus is $1,200 per month compared to $1,050 in St. Louis. The median home price in Columbus is $245,000 versus $205,000 in St. Louis. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 and St. Louis has an index of 88, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Columbus, multiply by 0.98. For example a $75,000 salary in Columbus is equivalent to approximately $73,333 in St. Louis.

Columbus has a median household income of $56,776 per year versus $48,438 in St. Louis. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Columbus to St. Louis is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. St. Louis is 2% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.