Missouri vs Ohio:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Missouri (4% top rate, flat) 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 flat income tax (4% flat) while Ohio has a flat system (2.75% flat + local). On a $100K salary, Missouri takes $4,000 in state and local taxes compared to Ohio’s $2,750 \u2014 a difference of $1,250.
Both states use flat brackets, but Missouri’s top rate of 4% is higher than Ohio’s 2.75%.
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 | $32,720 | $33,220 | +$500 | Ohio |
| $50K | $40,355 | $40,980 | +$625 | Ohio |
| $60K | $47,990 | $48,740 | +$750 | Ohio |
| $75K | $58,538 | $59,475 | +$938 | Ohio |
| $100K | $75,125 | $76,375 | +$1,250 | Ohio |
| $120K | $88,395 | $89,895 | +$1,500 | Ohio |
| $150K | $107,751 | $109,626 | +$1,875 | Ohio |
| $200K | $140,887 | $143,387 | +$2,500 | Ohio |
| $250K | $173,264 | $176,389 | +$3,125 | Ohio |
| $300K | $203,329 | $207,079 | +$3,750 | 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: $84,410 in Missouri vs $84,861 in Ohio.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $80,710 in Missouri and $81,960 in Ohio \u2014 a difference of $1,250. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from Missouri to Ohio?
On paper, moving from Missouri to Ohio would save $1,250/year on a $100K salary, or $6,250 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $1,250/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.