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

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Mesa is 110% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,478/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 40%
$78,779/yr ↑ 101%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 50%
$364,300 ↑ 287%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 74%
$1,404/mo ↑ 62%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 38%
507,478
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $584/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $7,008/year.

Median household income is $39,592/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Mesa or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Cleveland?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $584/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Cleveland?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $39,592/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Ohio?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Cleveland details →

More Comparisons

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