Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

Cleveland is 20% cheaper than Montgomery.

$894/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↑ 18%
$39,187/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↑ 42%
$94,100 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$148,500 ↑ 58%
$866/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↑ 18%
367,523
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $165/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $1,980/year.

Median household income is $16,500/year higher in Montgomery. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Montgomery — common questions

Is Cleveland or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 64 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Montgomery?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $165/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Montgomery?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $16,500/year higher in Montgomery.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Alabama?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Montgomery details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Montgomery

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Montgomery vs. Grand Prairie Montgomery vs. Grand Rapids Montgomery vs. Sunrise Manor Montgomery vs. Sioux Falls Montgomery vs. Birmingham Montgomery vs. Overland Park