Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

Cleveland is 22% cheaper than Kansas City.

$894/mo ↓ 17%
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ↑ 20%
$39,187/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$59,183/yr ↑ 51%
$94,100 ↓ 36%
Home Value
$147,100 ↑ 56%
$866/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ↑ 22%
367,523
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.7%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $179/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,148/year.

Median household income is $19,996/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Kansas City — common questions

Is Cleveland or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 65 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Kansas City?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $179/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Kansas City?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $19,996/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Kansas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Kansas City details →

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