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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Ontario

California
152

Cleveland is 66% cheaper than Ontario.

$894/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 114%
$39,187/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 111%
$94,100 ↓ 83%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 504%
$866/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 127%
367,523
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,022/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $12,264/year.

Median household income is $43,619/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Ontario — common questions

Is Cleveland or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Ontario?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $1,022/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Ontario?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $43,619/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

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