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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Cleveland is 78% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$894/mo ↓ 63%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 168%
$39,187/yr ↓ 64%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 181%
$94,100 ↓ 91%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 1021%
$866/mo ↓ 65%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 184%
367,523
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,501/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $18,012/year.

Median household income is $70,886/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Cleveland or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $1,501/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $70,886/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

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