Cost of Living: Omaha, NE vs Cleveland, OH (2026)

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Omaha is 57% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,150/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 22%
$72,708/yr ↑ 86%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 46%
$230,100 ↑ 145%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 59%
$1,249/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 31%
488,197
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
3.5%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
1.73%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $256/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $3,072/year.

Median household income is $33,521/year higher in Omaha. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Omaha vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Omaha or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Omaha and Cleveland?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $256/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or Cleveland?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $33,521/year higher in Omaha.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and Ohio?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Omaha or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/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 Omaha details → View Cleveland details →

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