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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Downey

California
169

Cleveland is 70% cheaper than Downey.

$894/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↑ 112%
$39,187/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↑ 123%
$94,100 ↓ 87%
Home Value
$728,500 ↑ 674%
$866/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↑ 131%
367,523
Population
111,793

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
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $998/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $11,976/year.

Median household income is $48,213/year higher in Downey. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Downey — common questions

Is Cleveland or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Downey?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $998/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Downey?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $48,213/year higher in Downey.
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 Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Downey details →

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