Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Durham, NC (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Durham

North Carolina
105

Cleveland is 51% cheaper than Durham.

$894/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$1,412/mo ↑ 58%
$39,187/yr ↓ 51%
Median Income
$79,234/yr ↑ 102%
$94,100 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$355,300 ↑ 278%
$866/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,434/mo ↑ 66%
367,523
Population
288,465

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Durham, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $518/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $6,216/year.

Median household income is $40,047/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $355,300 in Durham.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Durham — common questions

Is Cleveland or Durham 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 Durham?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Durham it's $1,412/month — a difference of $518/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Durham?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $79,234 in Durham. Median household income is $40,047/year higher in Durham.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and North Carolina?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Durham?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Durham has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,412/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Durham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Durham

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Durham vs. Anchorage Durham vs. Plano Durham vs. Jersey City Durham vs. Chandler Durham vs. Lincoln Durham vs. Buffalo