Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Cleveland is 61% cheaper than Meridian.

$894/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 92%
$39,187/yr ↓ 60%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 152%
$94,100 ↓ 81%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 415%
$866/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 86%
367,523
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.8%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $820/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $9,840/year.

Median household income is $59,499/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Meridian — common questions

Is Cleveland or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Meridian?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $820/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Meridian?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $59,499/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Idaho?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Meridian details →

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