Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Cleveland?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Boise vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 52% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$678

+34% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$732

+35% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$903

+33% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,081

+38% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$94,100

+79% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$39,187

+52% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$50,140

+2% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

41.2%

+21.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

21.3%

+25.3 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

22.9 min

+3.8 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

1,582

+426% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

1,135.1

4,531.3

+299% 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

52.5°F

52.7°F

+0.2°F in Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

36.4 in

+24.6 in in Cleveland, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$4.18/gal

+2% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

19.5

+58% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$22.83

+111% in Cleveland, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Cleveland, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / OH)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

2.75%

+2.5 pp in ID

Boise vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Cleveland?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).