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

Which city costs less?

University City, MO has a modeled overall cost index 6.7% higher than Stow, OH.

Stow, OH · modeled 2BR rent
$1,500 / 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 Stow, 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 extra cost: $199/month in University City, MO

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $152,387 in University City, MO

Regional cost estimates: Stow, OH uses Cleveland, OH. University City, MO uses St. Louis, MO. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 6.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$199
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$2.4K
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.

Stow, OH

Population:34K
Cost Index:
77.7
100 = national average
Typical Home:$281K

University City, MO

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

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Stow, OH

The Buckeye State

34K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 34K 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: Stow, 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
↑ 13.1%
Stow, OH
$1,745
University City, MO
$1,974
Difference
$229
more
Transportation
↓ 10.5%
Stow, OH
$1,592
University City, MO
$1,425
Difference
$167
less
All Utilities
↑ 15.6%
Stow, OH
$556
University City, MO
$643
Difference
$86.88
more
Other
↑ 3.8%
Stow, OH
$1,815
University City, MO
$1,884
Difference
$69.07
more
Groceries
↓ 1.8%
Stow, OH
$1,161
University City, MO
$1,140
Difference
$20.75
less
Healthcare
↑ 0.3%
Stow, OH
$631
University City, MO
$633
Difference
$1.77
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,070
To$1,070
→ $0
1 Bed
From$1,170
To$1,110
↓ $60.00
2 Bed
From$1,500
To$1,360
↓ $140
3 Bed
From$1,830
To$1,750
↓ $80.00
Stow, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,170–$1,170/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 Stow, OH
$7,699
Monthly in University City, MO
$199
Difference

Home Values

Stow
University City
$281K
Median Value
$268K
↑ +4.2%
YoY Change
↑ +1.7%
↑ +34.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +22.9%

Homes in University City are 5% less expensive than Stow

Calculate payment - StowCalculate payment - University City

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

Stow, 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

Stow, 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

Stow
University City
54 Moderate
Air Quality
54 Moderate
37.2%
Good Air Days
38%
98 High
Climate Risk
99 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🫨
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.0°F
11 days
Heat Days >95°F
39 days
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.0°F
11 days
Heat Days >95°F
39 days

Before moving from Stow, 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 Stow, 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 Stow 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: Stow, OH vs University City, MO

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

University City, MO has a modeled overall cost index 6.7% higher than Stow, 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 Stow, OH, the model estimates $152,387 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 Stow, OH and University City, MO?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,500/month in Stow, 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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