Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Memphis?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Memphis?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 23% higher in Memphis, TN. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$678

$877

+29% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$732

$948

+30% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,073

+19% in Memphis, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,281

+19% in Memphis, TN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$157,100

+67% in Memphis, TN

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$51,211

+31% in Memphis, TN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$46,890

+6% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

34.3 yr

+2.0 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

41.2%

46.0%

+4.8 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

28.2%

+6.9 pp in Memphis, TN

Avg Commute

22.9 min

21.3 min

+1.6 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

2,507.6

+59% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

4,531.3

6,966.3

+54% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+10.4°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

53.7 in

+17.3 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.94/gal

+6% in Cleveland, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

14.5

+26% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$16.83

+26% in Cleveland, OH

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

5.75%

+1.3 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cleveland vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Memphis?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Memphis?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).