Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Saint Louis

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Saint Louis, Missouri.

Bottom line

Columbus is approximately 1% more expensive than Saint Louis. A single person needs about $3,178/mo in Columbus versus $3,135/mo in Saint Louis.

Rent in Columbus vs Saint Louis

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Saint Louis · Studio

$951

Columbus is $153 (16%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Saint Louis · 1 bedroom

$984

Columbus is $210 (21%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Saint Louis · 2 bedroom

$1,215

Columbus is $230 (19%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Saint Louis · 3 bedroom

$1,570

Columbus is $171 (11%) higher than Saint Louis

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Saint Louis

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Saint Louis · Household income

$81,340

Saint Louis is $7,545 (10%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Saint Louis · Individual earnings

$47,763

Saint Louis is $2,475 (5%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Saint Louis · Per capita

$51,085

Saint Louis is $8,230 (19%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Saint Louis

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Saint Louis · Average home value

$260,700

Columbus is $5,000 (2%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Saint Louis · Annual property tax

$3,193

Columbus is $917 (29%) higher than Saint Louis

Energy in Columbus vs Saint Louis

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Saint Louis · Monthly electricity

$142

Saint Louis is $11 (8%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Saint Louis · Monthly gas

$52

Columbus is $11 (21%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Saint Louis · Annual total

$2,328

Columbus and Saint Louis are about the same

Healthcare in Columbus vs Saint Louis

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Saint Louis · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Saint Louis are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Saint Louis · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Saint Louis are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Saint Louis · Uninsured rate

5.8%

Columbus is 2.6% (45%) higher than Saint Louis

Taxes in Columbus vs Saint Louis

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Saint Louis · State income tax

4.8%

Saint Louis is 1.3% (37%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Saint Louis · State sales tax

4.2%

Columbus is 1.5% (36%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Saint Louis · Combined sales tax

8.3%

Saint Louis is 1.0% (14%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Saint Louis

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Saint Louis · Average commute

23.3 min

Saint Louis is 1.5 min (7%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Saint Louis · Drive alone

73.7%

Saint Louis is 3.2% (5%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Saint Louis · Public transit

1.4%

Columbus is 0.3% (21%) higher than Saint Louis

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Saint Louis

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Saint Louis · Single person

$3,135

Columbus is $43 (1%) higher than Saint Louis

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Saint Louis · Couple

$4,623

Saint Louis is $84 (2%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Saint Louis · Family

$7,100

Saint Louis is $136 (2%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Saint Louis.

Is Columbus or Saint Louis more expensive?

Columbus is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,135/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Saint Louis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $984/mo in Saint Louis, Missouri. Columbus is approximately $210 (21%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Saint Louis households earn approximately $81,340 per year.

More on Columbus and Saint Louis

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Columbus profile Saint Louis profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.