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

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Cleveland is 14% cheaper than Syracuse.

$894/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↑ 12%
$39,187/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↑ 17%
$94,100 ↓ 25%
Home Value
$125,100 ↑ 33%
$866/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↑ 13%
367,523
Population
146,211

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $104/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $1,248/year.

Median household income is $6,658/year higher in Syracuse. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Cleveland or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 59 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Syracuse?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $104/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Syracuse?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $6,658/year higher in Syracuse.
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 Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Syracuse details →

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