salaryCleveland is the 2nd-largest city in Ohio that we track, with 366,097 residents. Rent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,080 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Ohio cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Ohio. It is number 152 of 288 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Cleveland with other big cities
Compare Cleveland to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Cleveland?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cleveland
| Size | Cleveland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $770 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $832 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,056 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,254 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,347 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cleveland overall?
Everyday prices in the Cleveland metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Cleveland
Life in Cleveland
What jobs pay in Cleveland
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,690 | 10.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,860 | 11.3% |
| Lawyer | $134,680 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,800 | 11.7% |
| Software Developer | $111,310 | 13.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,540 | 15.1% |
| Operations Manager | $97,750 | 15.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,190 | 15.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,990 | 17.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,940 | 18.3% |
| Police Officer | $80,280 | 19.1% |
| Accountant | $80,000 | 19.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,470 | 20.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,350 | 21.5% |
| Electrician | $70,860 | 21.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,900 | 24.0% |
| Plumber | $63,020 | 24.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,790 | 24.4% |
| Firefighter | $62,720 | 24.4% |
| Carpenter | $60,650 | 25.3% |
| Truck Driver | $58,970 | 26.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,040 | 33.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,830 | 35.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,010 | 39.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,680 | 39.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,060 | 41.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,260 | 42.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,000 | 49.4% |
| Cashier | $29,130 | 52.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cleveland?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $569 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $102,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $10,200 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cleveland, OH?
Renting in Cleveland costs a median of about $1,277 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Ohio median is $1,261.
How much do I need to make to live in Cleveland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,080 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cleveland cheap or expensive?
Cleveland is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.8% of the typical household income of $44,004. It ranks 152nd cheapest of 288 Ohio cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cleveland?
The median homeowner in Cleveland pays $1,759 a year in property taxes, about 1.72% of the median home value.
Is Cleveland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cleveland?
The median home value in Cleveland is $102,000, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
366,097 people live in Cleveland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.