Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Cleveland is 60% cheaper than Surprise.

$894/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 114%
$39,187/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 138%
$94,100 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$396,000 ↑ 321%
$866/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↑ 83%
367,523
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
2.5%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,023/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $12,276/year.

Median household income is $54,184/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Surprise slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Surprise — common questions

Is Cleveland or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Surprise?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $1,023/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Surprise?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $54,184/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Arizona?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Surprise

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