| Index | Cleveland | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 81 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 50 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 87 | 93 | 100 |
The cost of living in Cleveland affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Cleveland is 81, which is 19% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Cleveland are 49.6% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 24 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Cleveland. The feedback revealed that 29% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 71% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Cleveland affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Cleveland, the median home price is 60.6% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 24% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Cleveland boasting a median household income of $47,291, 41.9% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Cleveland, the transportation index is 8.3% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Cleveland, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.75%, and income tax rates begin at 2.76%.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Cleveland, the groceries index is 4.9% lower than the national average.
The Cleveland cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $70,166 | $5,847 | $1,637 | $2,105 |
| Renters | $35,761 | $2,980 | $834 | $1,073 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| East Cleveland, OH | 17,563 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Linndale, OH | 346 | 81 | 18.5% |
| Kinsman Center, OH | 674 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Highland Hills, OH | 782 | 82 | 18.0% |
| Newburgh Heights, OH | 1,841 | 82 | 17.7% |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 81 | 18.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bakersfield, CA | 390,909 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Aurora, CO | 393,102 | 126 | 25.9% |
| Wichita, KS | 398,457 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Tampa, FL | 403,927 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 81 | 18.9% |
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