Moving from St. Louis to Columbus?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Columbus, you'd need to earn:
$72,418/year
▼ $2,582 less than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $72,418 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,546 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,490 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,050 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$1,275 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $58,057 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +0.4% in Columbus
- Housing is +11.3% in Columbus
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $2,003/year in taxes in Columbus
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~396 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Columbus
| Your St. Louis Salary | Columbus Equivalent | Difference | Columbus Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,502 | -$1,498 | $32,632 |
| $50,000 | $48,253 | -$1,747 | $40,199 |
| $60,000 | $58,062 | -$1,938 | $47,811 |
| $75,000 | $72,418 | -$2,582 | $58,057 |
| $100,000 | $96,762 | -$3,238 | $74,513 |
| $150,000 | $145,929 | -$4,071 | $106,854 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Columbus Compare
Housing (11% more expensive in Columbus)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Columbus rents for $1,191/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $290,000 in Columbus vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. Ohio has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 3.5%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Columbus would save you about $2,003/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Columbus's overall cost of living is 0.4% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Columbus: 95.5.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Columbus move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Columbus
Average 1BR rent in Columbus: $1,191/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →