salaryRent is lower than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,240 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Tennessee cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Tennessee. It is number 52 of 114 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cleveland?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cleveland
| Size | Cleveland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $664 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $838 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,074 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,283 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,541 | $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 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.1, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $131,980 | 11.2% |
| Pharmacist | $124,160 | 11.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,360 | 13.8% |
| Software Developer | $102,600 | 14.4% |
| Operations Manager | $92,800 | 15.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,880 | 18.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $78,190 | 18.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $72,800 | 20.3% |
| Accountant | $71,840 | 20.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,580 | 24.0% |
| Electrician | $60,250 | 24.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,330 | 24.9% |
| Police Officer | $58,800 | 25.1% |
| Plumber | $55,130 | 26.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $52,350 | 28.2% |
| Truck Driver | $49,250 | 30.0% |
| Carpenter | $48,480 | 30.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,460 | 38.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,600 | 39.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,170 | 39.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,130 | 39.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,030 | 42.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $32,160 | 45.9% |
| Cashier | $27,140 | 54.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,300 | 63.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cleveland?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $658 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $272,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,220 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cleveland, TN?
Renting in Cleveland costs a median of about $1,231 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Tennessee median is $1,279.
How much do I need to make to live in Cleveland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,240 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cleveland cheap or expensive?
Cleveland is rated OK: rent takes 23.4% of the typical household income of $63,156. It ranks 52nd cheapest of 114 Tennessee cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cleveland?
The median homeowner in Cleveland pays $1,576 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Cleveland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% 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 $272,200, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
48,829 people live in Cleveland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.