Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Warwick?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Warwick?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$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 Warwick, RI. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 55% higher in Warwick, RI. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$678

$923

+36% in Warwick, RI

1 Bedroom

$732

$1,085

+48% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,629

+80% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,569

+45% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$322,000

+242% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$87,536

+123% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$53,680

+7% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

44.6 yr

+8.3 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

41.2%

73.4%

+32.2 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

33.2%

+11.9 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

22.9 min

25.0 min

+2.1 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

79.5

+95% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

1,149.5

+75% 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

51.6°F

+1.1°F in Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

47.2 in

+10.8 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Warwick, RI

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

29.2

+52% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$25.75

+13% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / RI)

5.75%

+1.3 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

5.99%

+3.2 pp in RI

Cleveland vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Warwick?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Warwick?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% 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).