Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Cleveland is 44% cheaper than Palm Bay.

$894/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 66%
$39,187/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↑ 72%
$94,100 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$248,000 ↑ 164%
$866/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↑ 39%
367,523
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $593/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $7,116/year.

Median household income is $28,334/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Cleveland or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $593/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $28,334/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Florida?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Palm Bay details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Palm Bay

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