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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Cleveland is 77% cheaper than Pasadena.

$894/mo ↓ 60%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 148%
$39,187/yr ↓ 62%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 165%
$94,100 ↓ 91%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 1011%
$866/mo ↓ 63%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 170%
367,523
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,324/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $15,888/year.

Median household income is $64,591/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Cleveland or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Pasadena?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $1,324/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Pasadena?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $64,591/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Pasadena details →

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