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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Chesapeake

Virginia
112

Cleveland is 54% cheaper than Chesapeake.

$894/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$1,523/mo ↑ 70%
$39,187/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$94,189/yr ↑ 140%
$94,100 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$359,100 ↑ 282%
$866/mo ↓ 48%
Owner Costs
$1,680/mo ↑ 94%
367,523
Population
251,153

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
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Chesapeake, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $629/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $7,548/year.

Median household income is $55,002/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $359,100 in Chesapeake.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Chesapeake — common questions

Is Cleveland or Chesapeake cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Chesapeake?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Chesapeake it's $1,523/month — a difference of $629/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Chesapeake?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $94,189 in Chesapeake. Median household income is $55,002/year higher in Chesapeake.
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 Chesapeake?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,523/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Chesapeake details →

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