Cleveland, Ohio has a cost of living approximately 10% below the national average, making it one of the most affordable major cities in the United States.
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Quick Answer: Cleveland Cost of Living
| Category | Cleveland | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 90 | 100 | -10% |
| Housing | 68 | 100 | -32% |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | -3% |
| Utilities | 96 | 100 | -4% |
| Transportation | 97 | 100 | -3% |
| Healthcare | 100 | 100 | 0% |
Index: 100 = national average
Cleveland Housing Costs
| Housing Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (city center) | $1,100-$1,500 |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside center) | $800-$1,100 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (city center) | $1,400-$1,900 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (outside center) | $1,000-$1,400 |
| Median home price | $185,000 |
| Median rent | $1,050 |
Cleveland Neighborhood Comparison
| Neighborhood | 1BR Rent | Median Home | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | $1,300-$1,700 | $250,000+ | Urban, new development |
| Tremont | $1,200-$1,600 | $280,000 | Artsy, restaurants |
| Ohio City | $1,200-$1,600 | $300,000 | West Side Market, breweries |
| University Circle | $1,100-$1,500 | $350,000 | Museums, Case Western |
| Lakewood | $1,000-$1,400 | $250,000 | Walkable, diverse |
| Rocky River | $1,300-$1,700 | $350,000 | Suburban, waterfront |
| Shaker Heights | $1,200-$1,600 | $280,000 | Historic, good schools |
| Beachwood | $1,400-$1,800 | $400,000 | Upscale, shopping |
Monthly Expenses Breakdown
| Expense | Single Person | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg) | $1,100 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
| Utilities | $125 | $155 | $190 |
| Groceries | $340 | $580 | $850 |
| Transportation | $290 | $430 | $530 |
| Healthcare | $210 | $400 | $620 |
| Entertainment | $160 | $280 | $420 |
| Total | $2,225 | $3,245 | $4,310 |
Salary Needed to Live in Cleveland
| Lifestyle | Single | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival minimum | $30,000 | $45,000 | $60,000 |
| Comfortable | $48,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 |
| Living well | $70,000+ | $105,000+ | $135,000+ |
Cleveland vs Other Cities
| City | Cost Index | vs Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 90 | — |
| Cincinnati | 92 | +2% |
| Columbus | 95 | +6% |
| Pittsburgh | 93 | +3% |
| Detroit | 88 | -2% |
| Indianapolis | 91 | +1% |
| Chicago | 107 | +19% |
Cleveland Income and Employment
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median household income | $35,000 |
| Average salary | $52,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% |
| Top employer | Cleveland Clinic |
Top Industries in Cleveland
| Industry | Major Employers |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals |
| Finance | KeyBank, Progressive |
| Manufacturing | Sherwin-Williams, Lincoln Electric |
| Education | Case Western Reserve |
| Legal | Jones Day (headquarters) |
Cleveland Taxes
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ohio state income tax | 0%-3.75% |
| Cleveland city income tax | 2.5% |
| Sales tax | 8% (Cuyahoga County) |
| Property tax rate | 2.3% |
Is Cleveland a Good Place to Live?
Pros:
- Extremely affordable housing
- World-class healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)
- Cultural institutions (museums, orchestra)
- Great food scene
- Lake Erie waterfront
Cons:
- Cold, snowy winters
- Higher city income tax
- Declining population in some areas
- Some neighborhoods struggling
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