Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Richmond, VA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Richmond

Virginia
98

Cleveland is 48% cheaper than Richmond.

$894/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↑ 47%
$39,187/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$62,671/yr ↑ 60%
$94,100 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$328,100 ↑ 249%
$866/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,374/mo ↑ 59%
367,523
Population
227,595

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.75%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Richmond, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 98 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $420/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $5,040/year.

Median household income is $23,484/year higher in Richmond. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $328,100 in Richmond.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Richmond — common questions

Is Cleveland or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 98 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Richmond?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Richmond it's $1,314/month — a difference of $420/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Richmond?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $62,671 in Richmond. Median household income is $23,484/year higher in Richmond.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Virginia?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Richmond?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Richmond has a cost index of 98 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Richmond details →

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