Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Cleveland is 28% cheaper than Abilene.

$894/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 24%
$39,187/yr ↓ 38%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 60%
$94,100 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$178,900 ↑ 90%
$866/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 29%
367,523
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $212/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,544/year.

Median household income is $23,533/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Abilene — common questions

Is Cleveland or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Abilene?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $212/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Abilene?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $23,533/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Texas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Abilene details →

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