Moving from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Relocating between St. Louis, MO and Columbus, OH is a 422 mi drive β 7h 56m 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.
422 mi Β· 7h 56m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
St. Louis and Columbus sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 44.7" |
Expect 5.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.34 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.4% higher in Columbus than St. Louis.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
How does the job market in Columbus compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Columbus more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 0.4% higher than St. Louis (95.469 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 18.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Columbus, OH from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 422 mi and the route typically takes 7h 56m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 422 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Columbus, OH.