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

Fresno

California
101
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Fresno is 98% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,324/mo ↑ 48%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 32%
$66,804/yr ↑ 70%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 41%
$348,500 ↑ 270%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 73%
$1,391/mo ↑ 61%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 38%
543,615
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
3.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $430/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $5,160/year.

Median household income is $27,617/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Fresno or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Cleveland?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $430/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Cleveland?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $27,617/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and Ohio?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with rent of $894/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Cleveland details →

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