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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Modesto

California
120

Cleveland is 57% cheaper than Modesto.

$894/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↑ 80%
$39,187/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↑ 99%
$94,100 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$415,600 ↑ 342%
$866/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↑ 86%
367,523
Population
218,614

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
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $715/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $8,580/year.

Median household income is $38,712/year higher in Modesto. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Modesto — common questions

Is Cleveland or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Modesto?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $715/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Modesto?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $38,712/year higher in Modesto.
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 Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Modesto details →

More Comparisons

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