Moving from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
Relocating between St. Louis, MO and Cincinnati, OH is a 349 mi drive — 6h 35m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
349 mi · 6h 35m by car · OH → IN → IL → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → IN → IL → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 52, I 74 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 95.088 vs 95.37 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis —, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Louis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 43.4" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0°F) and Cincinnati (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.17 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.3% lower in Cincinnati than St. Louis.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 349 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 0.3% higher than St. Louis (95.37 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 349 mi and the route typically takes 6h 35m via I 70 and US 52. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $55,279 in St. Louis — a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO · Cincinnati, OH.