Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Elizabeth, NJ (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Elizabeth

New Jersey
112

Cleveland is 54% cheaper than Elizabeth.

$894/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,463/mo ↑ 64%
$39,187/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$63,874/yr ↑ 63%
$94,100 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$393,500 ↑ 318%
$866/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,543/mo ↑ 78%
367,523
Population
135,887

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
10.75%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
1.53%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Elizabeth, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $569/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $6,828/year.

Median household income is $24,687/year higher in Elizabeth. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $393,500 in Elizabeth.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Elizabeth — common questions

Is Cleveland or Elizabeth cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Elizabeth?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Elizabeth it's $1,463/month — a difference of $569/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Elizabeth?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $63,874 in Elizabeth. Median household income is $24,687/year higher in Elizabeth.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and New Jersey?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Elizabeth?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Elizabeth has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,463/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Elizabeth details →

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