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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Sacramento is 159% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,694/mo ↑ 89%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 47%
$83,753/yr ↑ 114%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 53%
$484,600 ↑ 415%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 81%
$1,752/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 51%
524,802
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

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $800/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $9,600/year.

Median household income is $44,566/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Sacramento or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Cleveland?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $800/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Cleveland?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $44,566/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Cleveland details →

More Comparisons

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