Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Athens, GA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Cleveland is 39% cheaper than Athens.

$894/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↑ 30%
$39,187/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↑ 32%
$94,100 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$271,800 ↑ 189%
$866/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↑ 34%
367,523
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.49%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $268/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $3,216/year.

Median household income is $12,468/year higher in Athens. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Athens — common questions

Is Cleveland or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Athens?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $268/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Athens?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $12,468/year higher in Athens.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Georgia?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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