Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Cleveland, OH (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Raleigh is 116% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,468/mo ↑ 64%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 39%
$82,424/yr ↑ 110%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 52%
$377,800 ↑ 301%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 75%
$1,487/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 42%
470,763
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
3.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $574/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $6,888/year.

Median household income is $43,237/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Raleigh or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Cleveland?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $574/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Cleveland?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $43,237/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Ohio?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Cleveland details →

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