Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Cleveland is 51% cheaper than Clearwater.

$894/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 72%
$39,187/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↑ 64%
$94,100 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$326,100 ↑ 247%
$866/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↑ 63%
367,523
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $645/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $7,740/year.

Median household income is $25,253/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Cleveland or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Clearwater?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $645/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Clearwater?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $25,253/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Florida?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Clearwater

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville