Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Huntington?

They're close. Cleveland, OH runs about $940 a month and Huntington, WV about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Huntington?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $940 in Huntington, WV. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 9% higher in Huntington, WV. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$678

$762

+12% in Huntington, WV

1 Bedroom

$732

$758

+4% in Huntington, WV

2 Bedroom

$903

$881

+2% in Cleveland, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,121

+4% in Huntington, WV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$118,800

+26% in Huntington, WV

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$43,146

+10% in Huntington, WV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$44,600

+11% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

34.9 yr

+1.4 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

41.2%

52.5%

+11.3 pp in Huntington, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

34.5%

+13.2 pp in Huntington, WV

Avg Commute

22.9 min

18.6 min

+4.3 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

800.3

+49% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

3,617.9

+20% 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

55.7°F

+3.0°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

42.6 in

+6.2 in in Huntington, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Huntington, WV

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

15.4

+19% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$24.68

+8% in Huntington, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cleveland, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Huntington, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cleveland, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cleveland, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / WV)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.82%

+2.1 pp in WV

Cleveland vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Huntington?: They're close. Cleveland, OH runs about $940 a month and Huntington, WV about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Huntington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $30,000 in Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Huntington?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% 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).