Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Cleveland?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Cleveland?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 55% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$678

+39% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$732

+27% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$903

+24% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,081

+35% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$94,100

+59% in Bellevue, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$39,187

+55% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$50,140

+1% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

36.3 yr

+0.2 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

65.5%

41.2%

+24.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

21.3%

+12.1 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.8 min

22.9 min

+2.1 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

1,582

+1469% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

1,149.4

4,531.3

+294% in Cleveland, OH

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

52.7°F

+1.6°F in Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

36.4 in

+5.7 in in Cleveland, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.18/gal

+6% in Cleveland, OH

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

19.5

+44% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$22.83

+47% in Cleveland, OH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / OH)

5.5%

5.75%

+0.3 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

2.75%

+1.8 pp in NE

Bellevue vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Cleveland?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).