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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Cleveland is 75% cheaper than Arlington.

$894/mo ↓ 61%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 154%
$39,187/yr ↓ 72%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 258%
$94,100 ↓ 89%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 819%
$866/mo ↓ 64%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 179%
367,523
Population
235,463

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
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,381/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $16,572/year.

Median household income is $100,973/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Arlington — common questions

Is Cleveland or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Arlington?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,381/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Arlington?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $100,973/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Arlington details →

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