Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Cleveland is 49% cheaper than Wilmington.

$894/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 47%
$39,187/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 63%
$94,100 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 272%
$866/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 58%
367,523
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $417/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $5,004/year.

Median household income is $24,713/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Cleveland or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Wilmington?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $417/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Wilmington?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $24,713/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and North Carolina?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Wilmington details →

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