Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Jersey City, NJ (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Jersey City

New Jersey
148

Cleveland is 66% cheaper than Jersey City.

$894/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$1,902/mo ↑ 113%
$39,187/yr ↓ 59%
Median Income
$94,813/yr ↑ 142%
$94,100 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$534,500 ↑ 468%
$866/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,006/mo ↑ 132%
367,523
Population
289,691

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
10.75%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
1.53%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Jersey City, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 148 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,008/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $12,096/year.

Median household income is $55,626/year higher in Jersey City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $534,500 in Jersey City.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Jersey City — common questions

Is Cleveland or Jersey City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 148 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Jersey City?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Jersey City it's $1,902/month — a difference of $1,008/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Jersey City?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $94,813 in Jersey City. Median household income is $55,626/year higher in Jersey City.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and New Jersey?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Jersey City?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Jersey City has a cost index of 148 with rent of $1,902/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Jersey City details →

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