Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Cleveland is 80% cheaper than Berkeley.

$894/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 138%
$39,187/yr ↓ 64%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 177%
$94,100 ↓ 93%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 1336%
$866/mo ↓ 63%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 170%
367,523
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,233/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $14,796/year.

Median household income is $69,371/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Cleveland or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Berkeley?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $1,233/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Berkeley?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $69,371/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and California?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Berkeley details →

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