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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Santa Ana

California
163

Cleveland is 69% cheaper than Santa Ana.

$894/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$1,975/mo ↑ 121%
$39,187/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$88,354/yr ↑ 125%
$94,100 ↓ 86%
Home Value
$657,800 ↑ 599%
$866/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,965/mo ↑ 127%
367,523
Population
311,639

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
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Santa Ana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 163 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,081/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $12,972/year.

Median household income is $49,167/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $657,800 in Santa Ana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Santa Ana — common questions

Is Cleveland or Santa Ana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Santa Ana?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Santa Ana it's $1,975/month — a difference of $1,081/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Santa Ana?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $88,354 in Santa Ana. Median household income is $49,167/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with rent of $1,975/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Santa Ana details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Santa Ana

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