Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Rochester, NY (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Rochester

New York
61

Cleveland is 16% cheaper than Rochester.

$894/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↑ 16%
$39,187/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↑ 19%
$94,100 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$120,600 ↑ 28%
$866/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↑ 17%
367,523
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
10.9%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $145/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $1,740/year.

Median household income is $7,441/year higher in Rochester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Rochester — common questions

Is Cleveland or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 61 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Rochester?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $145/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Rochester?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $7,441/year higher in Rochester.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and New York?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Rochester details →

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