Moving from Ohio to Missouri
Moving from Ohio to Missouri covers about 624 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.
Generate My ChecklistOH vs MO at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
Before You Leave Ohio
File Form IT 1040 as a part-year resident
If you move out of Ohio during the year, you are a part-year resident. File Form IT 1040 and attach Form IT NRC with your dates of Ohio residency. The IT NRC gives you a credit for income you earned while you lived in another state. You do not have to file if your Ohio adjusted gross income is $0 or less. The same applies if your exemption amount is equal to or more than your Ohio adjusted gross income. You must still file if you owe school district income tax.
Source: Ohio Department of Taxation, 2025 IT 1040 InstructionsFile an SD 100 if your school district has an income tax
Some Ohio school districts levy their own income tax. If you lived in one of them, you owe tax on the income you received while you lived there. File Form SD 100 for that part of the year. You can owe school district tax even if you owe no Ohio income tax.
Source: Ohio Department of Taxation, School District Income TaxFile a final city income tax return
Ohio cities can levy their own income tax. If you owe city tax for the year you move, you must file a return for that year. Ask your city tax office how to file the final return.
Source: Ohio Revised Code 718.05Decide whether to cancel your Ohio registration
You can cancel an Ohio vehicle registration online with the BMV. Only an owner or co-owner can ask. BMV gives no refund. BMV cannot reinstate a cancelled registration. Register the vehicle in your new state first.
Source: Ohio BMV, Vehicle Registration CancellationTell the county auditor if you keep a home here
If you keep your Ohio home after you move, it is no longer your principal residence. Tell the county auditor that you no longer qualify for the homestead exemption or the owner-occupancy reduction. If you do not, the county can charge back the taxes you saved.
Source: Ohio Revised Code 323.153After You Arrive in Missouri
Get a Missouri license as soon as you are a resident
Missouri gives no grace period. Apply at any Missouri license office. Surrender a valid license from another state, or one expired 184 days or less, and you skip the written and skills tests. Everyone takes the road sign recognition test and the vision test. A commercial driver license must transfer within 30 days.
Source: Missouri DOR, Driver licensing FAQTitle your car within 30 days
The 30 days start on the date you become a resident. Bring the original out-of-state title, Form 108, proof of insurance, and an ID/OD inspection. To get plates, you also need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. The safety inspection counts as the ID/OD inspection. If a lender holds the title, send it Form 5834 to request it. The title fee is $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee. For a passenger vehicle, the plate fee depends on taxable horsepower.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationGet a statement of non-assessment from the county assessor
The license office asks for it when you first title the car. It shows that you owe no Missouri personal property tax. Get it from the assessor in your county, or the City of St. Louis. Ask the assessor to add you to the roll for next year. To renew plates later, bring a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment.
Source: Missouri State Tax Commission, Receipts and waiversCheck the safety and emissions inspection rules
To get plates, you need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. A vehicle is exempt for the first ten years after its model year if it has less than 150,000 miles. In St. Louis City and in Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties, you also need an emissions inspection. Inspections must be no more than 60 days old.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationCarry 25/50/25 liability and uninsured motorist coverage
Liability limits must be at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Source: Missouri DOR, Insurance requirementsRegister to vote by the fourth Wednesday before an election
Register online, by mail, or in person. A mailed form must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before the election. If you register after that, you can vote in later elections.
Source: Missouri Secretary of State, Register to voteYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 624 miles (~11.5 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Missouri DMV, register to vote in MO, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Ohio
Humid continental with cold winters and warm, humid summers.
Missouri
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Ohio
Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Ohio to Missouri?
The driving distance from Ohio to Missouri is approximately 624 miles — about 11.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Ohio to Missouri?
A professional interstate move from Ohio to Missouri typically costs between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Missouri?
After establishing residency in Missouri, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Missouri DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Missouri DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Missouri?
Missouri has humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- The annual average temperature is 56°F, with about 42 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $129.