Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

Cleveland is 35% cheaper than Huntsville.

$894/mo ↓ 17%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↑ 21%
$39,187/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↑ 81%
$94,100 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$263,100 ↑ 180%
$866/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↑ 21%
367,523
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $184/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,208/year.

Median household income is $31,591/year higher in Huntsville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Huntsville — common questions

Is Cleveland or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 78 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Huntsville?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $184/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Huntsville?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $31,591/year higher in Huntsville.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Alabama?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Huntsville details →

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