Median rent is 27% lower in Cleveland ($894/mo vs $1,224/mo). Buying is cheaper in Cleveland, where the median home runs $94,100 versus $234,500. Households earn more in Columbus ($65,327 vs $39,187 a year).
City A
Cleveland, OH
City B
Columbus, OH
How much would you need to earn in Columbus, OH to maintain your standard of living from Cleveland, OH?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Cleveland
Ohio
Columbus
Ohio
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Cleveland — median rent of $894/mo versus $1,224/mo in Columbus, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Columbus: the median home is $234,500 versus $94,100 in Cleveland — 60% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Ohio's top income tax rate is 3.50% versus 3.50% in Ohio, so Columbus is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.75% in Ohio and 5.75% in Ohio; Columbus has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Cleveland
Income tax: 3.50%
Sales tax: 5.75%
Columbus
Income tax: 3.50%
Sales tax: 5.75%
Air quality data is available for Columbus (avg AQI 12.0) but not yet for Cleveland.
Pick Columbus if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,327/yr).
Pick Cleveland if you prioritize cheaper rent ($894/mo median).
Is Cleveland cheaper than Columbus?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Cleveland vs Columbus?
Median rent is $894/mo in Cleveland, OH and $1,224/mo in Columbus, OH. Cleveland, OH has the lower rent by about 27%.
Which has higher salaries — Cleveland or Columbus?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $65,327 in Columbus, OH. Columbus, OH has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Cleveland or Columbus?
Ohio's top income tax rate is 3.50% and Ohio's is 3.50%. Columbus, OH has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Columbus to match my Cleveland income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology