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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Cleveland is 83% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$894/mo ↓ 70%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 234%
$39,187/yr ↓ 77%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 343%
$94,100 ↓ 94%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 1524%
$866/mo ↓ 72%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 252%
367,523
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,091/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $25,092/year.

Median household income is $134,483/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Cleveland or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $2,091/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $134,483/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Santa Clara

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