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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Cleveland is 30% cheaper than Fayetteville.

$894/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↑ 32%
$39,187/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↑ 44%
$94,100 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$171,900 ↑ 83%
$866/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↑ 33%
367,523
Population
209,692

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $285/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $3,420/year.

Median household income is $17,208/year higher in Fayetteville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Cleveland or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $285/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $17,208/year higher in Fayetteville.
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 Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Fayetteville details →

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