Cost of Living: Seattle, WA vs Cleveland, OH (2026)

Seattle

Washington
196
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Seattle is 284% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,998/mo ↑ 123%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 55%
$121,984/yr ↑ 211%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 68%
$912,100 ↑ 869%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 90%
$2,220/mo ↑ 156%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 61%
741,440
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Seattle, WA and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 196 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,104/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $13,248/year.

Median household income is $82,797/year higher in Seattle. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Seattle is $912,100 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Seattle or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 196 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Cleveland?
Median rent in Seattle is $1,998/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $1,104/month.
Which city has higher income, Seattle or Cleveland?
Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $82,797/year higher in Seattle.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Ohio?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Seattle or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Seattle has a cost index of 196 with median rent of $1,998/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 Seattle details → View Cleveland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Seattle and Cleveland

Seattle vs. San Francisco Seattle vs. Denver Seattle vs. Indianapolis Seattle vs. Oklahoma City Seattle vs. Charlotte Seattle vs. Nashville Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson