Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Independence, MO (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Independence

Missouri
67

Cleveland is 24% cheaper than Independence.

$894/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,061/mo ↑ 19%
$39,187/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$59,480/yr ↑ 52%
$94,100 ↓ 43%
Home Value
$166,400 ↑ 77%
$866/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↑ 21%
367,523
Population
121,944

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.95%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Independence, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $167/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,004/year.

Median household income is $20,293/year higher in Independence. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $166,400 in Independence.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Independence — common questions

Is Cleveland or Independence cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Independence?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Independence it's $1,061/month — a difference of $167/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Independence?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $59,480 in Independence. Median household income is $20,293/year higher in Independence.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Missouri?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Independence?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Independence has a cost index of 67 with rent of $1,061/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Independence details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Independence

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Independence vs. College Station Independence vs. Rochester Independence vs. Clovis Independence vs. Lafayette Independence vs. Arvada Independence vs. Ann Arbor