A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
9%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Cleveland Tennessee National
Cost of living9592100
Groceries9698100
Health care9697100
Housing9180100
Transportation9597100
Utilities9998100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9897100
Household Items10098100
Education & Childcare10197100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Cleveland, TN

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 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In Cleveland, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Cleveland will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Cleveland Affordable?

Is Cleveland an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Cleveland is 6% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 16.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Cleveland has a median household income of $66,762, which is 17.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cleveland?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Cleveland comes in at 1.5% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Cleveland, healthcare costs are 4.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Cleveland cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Cleveland is 3% higher than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Cleveland is 5% lower than the national average
  • Cleveland housing is 9% lower than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Cleveland

See all the best places to live around Cleveland

Compare Cleveland, TN Cost of Living

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      Utilities index
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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$94,889$7,907$2,214$2,847
      Renters$47,186$3,932$1,101$1,416
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Cleveland, TN, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Cleveland homeowners, is $94,889. This would allow for a maximum of $2,214 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $47,186 which would result in a maximum of $1,101 to be spent on rental costs.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Cleveland, TN2,6178416.0%
      Benton, TN1,2938613.7%
      Charleston, TN6878811.9%
      Calhoun, TN6988911.4%
      Wildwood Lake, TN3,719927.6%
      Cleveland, TN46,880954.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Coachella, CA46,85811514.9%
      Oro Valley, AZ46,84012323.0%
      Herriman, UT46,78213231.8%
      Lake Ridge, VA46,76113130.8%
      Biloxi, MS47,008955.2%
      Cleveland, TN46,880954.7%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.