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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Cleveland is 59% cheaper than Lancaster.

$894/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 90%
$39,187/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 94%
$94,100 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 335%
$866/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 102%
367,523
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $802/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $9,624/year.

Median household income is $36,896/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Cleveland or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Lancaster?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $802/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Lancaster?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $36,896/year higher in Lancaster.
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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Lancaster details →

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