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

New York

New York
166
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

New York is 225% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,779/mo ↑ 99%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 50%
$79,713/yr ↑ 103%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 51%
$751,700 ↑ 699%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 87%
$1,837/mo ↑ 112%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 53%
8,516,202
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
3.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
1.62%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $885/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $10,620/year.

Median household income is $40,526/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Cleveland — common questions

Is New York or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Cleveland?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $885/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Cleveland?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $40,526/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Ohio?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Cleveland details →

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