Missouri vs Ohio:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Missouri (4.7% top rate, graduated) and Ohio (2.75% top rate, flat). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Missouri vs Ohio
Missouri uses a graduated income tax (0-4.7%) while Ohio has a flat system (2.75% flat + local). On a $100K salary, Missouri takes $3,736 in state and local taxes compared to Ohio’s $2,034 \u2014 a difference of $1,703.
Because Missouri has graduated brackets while Ohio is flat, the gap between them changes at different income levels. Missouri’s rates increase with income, so high earners feel the difference more acutely.
Both states also impose local income taxes, adding further complexity. The local tax burden can vary significantly by city and county within each state.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Ohio wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Missouri | Ohio | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $33,403 | $33,936 | +$533 | Ohio |
| $50K | $40,965 | $41,696 | +$732 | Ohio |
| $60K | $48,538 | $49,456 | +$918 | Ohio |
| $75K | $59,000 | $60,191 | +$1,192 | Ohio |
| $100K | $75,389 | $77,091 | +$1,703 | Ohio |
| $120K | $88,529 | $90,611 | +$2,082 | Ohio |
| $150K | $107,634 | $110,342 | +$2,709 | Ohio |
| $200K | $140,420 | $144,103 | +$3,684 | Ohio |
| $250K | $172,447 | $177,105 | +$4,659 | Ohio |
| $300K | $202,161 | $207,795 | +$5,634 | Ohio |
Cost of Living: Missouri (89) vs Ohio (90)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Missouri has a cost of living index of 89 while Ohio is at 90 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (89 vs 90), the tax difference is the primary factor. What you see in raw take-home pay is essentially what you get in purchasing power: $84,706 in Missouri vs $85,657 in Ohio.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $81,717 in Missouri and $82,676 in Ohio \u2014 a difference of $959. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from Missouri to Ohio?
On paper, moving from Missouri to Ohio would save $1,703/year on a $100K salary, or $8,513 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $1,703/year, the tax difference alone likely isn’t worth relocating for. Other factors — job market, lifestyle, family — should drive the decision. The tax savings are a nice bonus if you’re already considering the move for other reasons.