Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Cleveland is 61% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$894/mo ↓ 50%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 99%
$39,187/yr ↓ 51%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 104%
$94,100 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 384%
$866/mo ↓ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 105%
367,523
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $882/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $10,584/year.

Median household income is $40,748/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Cleveland or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $882/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $40,748/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Florida?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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