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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Irvine

California
256

Cleveland is 80% cheaper than Irvine.

$894/mo ↓ 69%
Median Rent
$2,893/mo ↑ 224%
$39,187/yr ↓ 70%
Median Income
$129,647/yr ↑ 231%
$94,100 ↓ 92%
Home Value
$1,115,400 ↑ 1085%
$866/mo ↓ 70%
Owner Costs
$2,904/mo ↑ 235%
367,523
Population
308,160

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
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Irvine, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 256 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,999/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $23,988/year.

Median household income is $90,460/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $1,115,400 in Irvine.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Irvine — common questions

Is Cleveland or Irvine cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Irvine?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Irvine it's $2,893/month — a difference of $1,999/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Irvine?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $129,647 in Irvine. Median household income is $90,460/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Irvine has a cost index of 256 with rent of $2,893/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Irvine details →

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