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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Hayward

California
200

Cleveland is 74% cheaper than Hayward.

$894/mo ↓ 62%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 164%
$39,187/yr ↓ 66%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 190%
$94,100 ↓ 89%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 772%
$866/mo ↓ 64%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 179%
367,523
Population
159,201

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,466/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $17,592/year.

Median household income is $74,588/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Hayward — common questions

Is Cleveland or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Hayward?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,466/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Hayward?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $74,588/year higher in Hayward.
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 Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Hayward details →

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