Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Cleveland is 71% cheaper than Alexandria.

$894/mo ↓ 56%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 127%
$39,187/yr ↓ 66%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 190%
$94,100 ↓ 86%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 640%
$866/mo ↓ 60%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 151%
367,523
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.75%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,137/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $13,644/year.

Median household income is $74,451/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Cleveland or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Alexandria?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $1,137/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Alexandria?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $74,451/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Virginia?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Alexandria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Alexandria

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Alexandria vs. Murfreesboro Alexandria vs. Macon Alexandria vs. Paterson Alexandria vs. Lakewood Alexandria vs. Corona Alexandria vs. Killeen