Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Worcester, MA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Worcester

Massachusetts
104

Cleveland is 51% cheaper than Worcester.

$894/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$1,415/mo ↑ 58%
$39,187/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$67,544/yr ↑ 72%
$94,100 ↓ 72%
Home Value
$339,500 ↑ 261%
$866/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,521/mo ↑ 76%
367,523
Population
205,501

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
9.0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Worcester, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $521/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $6,252/year.

Median household income is $28,357/year higher in Worcester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $339,500 in Worcester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Worcester — common questions

Is Cleveland or Worcester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Worcester?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Worcester it's $1,415/month — a difference of $521/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Worcester?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $67,544 in Worcester. Median household income is $28,357/year higher in Worcester.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Massachusetts?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Worcester?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Worcester has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,415/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Worcester details →

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