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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Cleveland is 69% cheaper than Fairfield.

$894/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 145%
$39,187/yr ↓ 62%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 161%
$94,100 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 530%
$866/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 157%
367,523
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,297/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $15,564/year.

Median household income is $63,134/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Cleveland or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Fairfield?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,297/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Fairfield?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $63,134/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Fairfield details →

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