Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Cleveland?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 48% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$678

+43% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$732

+42% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$903

+36% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,081

+30% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$94,100

+70% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$39,187

+48% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$50,140

+8% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

36.3 yr

+0.6 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

45.5%

41.2%

+4.3 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

21.3%

+22.0 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

22.9 min

+10.6 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

1,582

+193% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

3,489.9

4,531.3

+30% 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

52.7°F

about equal

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

36.4 in

+1.6 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$4.18/gal

+3% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

19.5

+18% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$22.83

+48% 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 (IL / OH)

6.25%

5.75%

+0.5 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.75%

+2.2 pp in IL

Chicago vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Cleveland?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).