Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Lexington, KY (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Cleveland is 38% cheaper than Lexington.

$894/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↑ 23%
$39,187/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↑ 73%
$94,100 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$272,100 ↑ 189%
$866/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↑ 34%
367,523
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $207/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,484/year.

Median household income is $28,444/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Lexington — common questions

Is Cleveland or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Lexington?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $207/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Lexington?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $28,444/year higher in Lexington.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Kentucky?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Lexington has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Lexington details →

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