Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Madison, WI (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Cleveland is 50% cheaper than Madison.

$894/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 53%
$39,187/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 96%
$94,100 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$346,900 ↑ 269%
$866/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 70%
367,523
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
7.65%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $470/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $5,640/year.

Median household income is $37,796/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Madison — common questions

Is Cleveland or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Madison?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $470/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Madison?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $37,796/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Wisconsin?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Madison details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Madison

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Madison vs. Buffalo Madison vs. Chula Vista Madison vs. Chandler Madison vs. Gilbert Madison vs. Plano Madison vs. North Las Vegas