Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Cleveland is 27% cheaper than Des Moines.

$894/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↑ 18%
$39,187/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↑ 63%
$94,100 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$183,700 ↑ 95%
$866/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↑ 31%
367,523
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.7%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $160/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $1,920/year.

Median household income is $24,779/year higher in Des Moines. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Cleveland or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 70 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Des Moines?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $160/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Des Moines?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $24,779/year higher in Des Moines.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Iowa?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Des Moines details →

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