Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Richmond?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Richmond?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 37% higher in Richmond, VA. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$678

$1,183

+74% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$732

$1,195

+63% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,374

+52% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,447

+34% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$328,100

+249% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$62,671

+60% in Richmond, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$51,460

+3% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

34.5 yr

+1.8 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

41.2%

43.5%

+2.3 pp in Richmond, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

44.1%

+22.8 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

22.9 min

22.1 min

+0.8 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

349

+78% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

3,240.2

+28% 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

58.9°F

+6.2°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

43.6 in

+7.3 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.86/gal

+8% in Cleveland, OH

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

17.6

+10% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$23.66

+4% in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA

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 / VA)

5.75%

5.3%

+0.5 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

5.75%

+3.0 pp in VA

Cleveland vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Richmond?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Richmond?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).