Lancaster, OH vs University City, MO: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

University City, MO has a modeled overall cost index 1.5% lower than Lancaster, OH.

Lancaster, OH · modeled 2BR rent
$1,170 / month
University City, MO · modeled 2BR rent
$1,360 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Lancaster, OH and University City, MO using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $205/month in University City, MO

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $147,545 in University City, MO

Regional cost estimates: Lancaster, OH uses Columbus, OH. University City, MO uses St. Louis, MO. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 1.5%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$205
Savings
Annual Impact
$2.5K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Lancaster, OH

Population:41K
Cost Index:
84.1
100 = national average
Typical Home:$263K

University City, MO

Population:34K
Cost Index:
82.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$268K

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Lancaster, OH

The Buckeye State

41K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 41K residents.

University City, MO

The Show-Me State

34K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 34K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Lancaster, OH vs University City, MO

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 7.1%
Lancaster, OH
$2,014
University City, MO
$1,871
Difference
$143
less
Transportation
↓ 9.3%
Lancaster, OH
$1,489
University City, MO
$1,350
Difference
$138
less
Other
↑ 5.2%
Lancaster, OH
$1,697
University City, MO
$1,785
Difference
$88.41
more
All Utilities
↑ 16.4%
Lancaster, OH
$524
University City, MO
$609
Difference
$85.85
more
Healthcare
↓ 12.4%
Lancaster, OH
$684
University City, MO
$599
Difference
$85.12
less
Groceries
↓ 1.1%
Lancaster, OH
$1,093
University City, MO
$1,080
Difference
$12.29
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$910
To$1,070
↑ $160
1 Bed
From$980
To$1,110
↑ $130
2 Bed
From$1,170
To$1,360
↑ $190
3 Bed
From$1,400
To$1,750
↑ $350
Lancaster, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $980–$980/mo

University City, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,110–$1,110/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Lancaster, OH
$7,295
Monthly in University City, MO
$205
Difference

Home Values

Lancaster
University City
$263K
Median Value
$268K
↑ +3.2%
YoY Change
↑ +1.7%
↑ +43.1%
5-Year Change
↑ +22.9%

Homes in University City are 2% more expensive than Lancaster

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $3.5K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$292
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.3%
Rate difference

Lancaster, OH

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Ohio State Tax
Effective: 3.0%
$4.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.6%
$41.4K
Take-Home Pay
$9,047/month
$108.6K

University City, MO

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Missouri State Tax
Effective: 5.3%
$7.9K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.0%
$44.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,755/month
$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Lancaster, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

University City, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Lancaster
University City
53 Moderate
Air Quality
54 Moderate
41.3%
Good Air Days
38%
98 High
Climate Risk
99 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🫨
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.0°F
18 days
Heat Days >95°F
39 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.0°F
18 days
Heat Days >95°F
39 days

Before moving from Lancaster, OH to University City, MO

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in University City, MO for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Lancaster, OH. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Lancaster to University City moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to University City, MO by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lancaster, OH vs University City, MO

How do the cost estimates for Lancaster, OH and University City, MO compare?

University City, MO has a modeled overall cost index 1.5% lower than Lancaster, OH. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Lancaster, OH, the model estimates $147,545 in University City, MO. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Lancaster, OH and University City, MO?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,170/month in Lancaster, OH and $1,360/month in University City, MO. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Ohio and Missouri on TaxTakeHome.com

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