Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Dearborn, MI (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Dearborn

Michigan
79

Cleveland is 35% cheaper than Dearborn.

$894/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$1,264/mo ↑ 41%
$39,187/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$65,192/yr ↑ 66%
$94,100 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$205,900 ↑ 119%
$866/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,174/mo ↑ 36%
367,523
Population
107,846

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.25%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Dearborn, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $370/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $4,440/year.

Median household income is $26,005/year higher in Dearborn. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $205,900 in Dearborn.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Dearborn — common questions

Is Cleveland or Dearborn cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Dearborn?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Dearborn it's $1,264/month — a difference of $370/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Dearborn?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $65,192 in Dearborn. Median household income is $26,005/year higher in Dearborn.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Michigan?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Dearborn?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Dearborn has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,264/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Dearborn details →

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