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
| Category | Columbus | St. Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall COLI | 90 | 88 | -2% |
| Housing | 90 | 80 | -11% |
| Groceries | 101 | 101 | Same |
| Transport | 101 | 100 | -1% |
| Healthcare | 101 | 102 | +1% |
| Utilities | 106 | 107 | +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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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.