Quick answer
Cleveland costs $50/month less overall ($1,530 vs $1,580/mo). Cleveland also has lower state income tax (Up to 3.99% vs Up to 4.95%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Cleveland vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Cleveland vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Cleveland | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,050 ✓ | $1,380 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,320 ✓ | $1,380 |
| Median Home Price | $185K ✓ | $215K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $140 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $340 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,530 ✓ | $1,580 |
| Walk Score | 56/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 42/100 ✓ | 38/100 |
| State Income Tax | Up to 3.99% ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Cleveland's 1BR averages $1,050/month vs $1,100 in St. Louis — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Cleveland charges Up to 3.99% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $768/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $4,788 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Cleveland are $185K vs $215K in St. Louis. At a 20% down payment, that's a $6,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: St. Louis utilities run $5 more per month than Cleveland.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Cleveland
Cold cloudy winters with lake-effect snow from Lake Erie; warm summers; exceptional fall colors
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Cleveland top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Cleveland if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts (Lake Erie)
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
Cleveland is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,530 in Cleveland vs $1,580 in St. Louis — a $50/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Cleveland or St. Louis?
Cleveland is more walkable with a Walk Score of 56/100 vs 52/100. St. Louis is more car-dependent.
Cleveland vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Cleveland has lower state income tax (Up to 3.99%). On an $80K salary, that saves $768/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Cleveland or St. Louis better for buying a home?
Cleveland has lower median home prices at $185K vs $215K in St. Louis — a $30,000 difference on the median home.