Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Cleveland

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Cleveland, Ohio.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 27% more expensive than Cleveland. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $2,929/mo in Cleveland.

Rent in Chicago vs Cleveland

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Cleveland · Studio

$881

Chicago is $577 (65%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Cleveland · 1 bedroom

$995

Chicago is $565 (57%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Cleveland · 2 bedroom

$1,208

Chicago is $553 (46%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Cleveland · 3 bedroom

$1,553

Chicago is $709 (46%) higher than Cleveland

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Cleveland

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Cleveland · Household income

$62,823

Chicago is $18,974 (30%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Cleveland · Individual earnings

$42,589

Chicago is $6,709 (16%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Cleveland · Per capita

$41,559

Chicago is $6,242 (15%) higher than Cleveland

Home values in Chicago vs Cleveland

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Cleveland · Average home value

$183,200

Chicago is $122,000 (67%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Cleveland · Annual property tax

$3,819

Chicago is $2,234 (58%) higher than Cleveland

Energy in Chicago vs Cleveland

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Cleveland · Monthly electricity

$131

Cleveland is $15 (13%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Cleveland · Monthly gas

$63

Cleveland is $2 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Cleveland · Annual total

$2,328

Cleveland is $204 (10%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Cleveland

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Cleveland · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Cleveland are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Cleveland · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Cleveland are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Cleveland · Uninsured rate

5.5%

Chicago is 3.5% (64%) higher than Cleveland

Taxes in Chicago vs Cleveland

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Cleveland · State income tax

3.5%

Chicago is 1.5% (41%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Cleveland · State sales tax

5.8%

Chicago is 0.5% (9%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Cleveland · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Chicago is 1.6% (22%) higher than Cleveland

Transportation in Chicago vs Cleveland

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Cleveland · Average commute

23.6 min

Chicago is 8.3 min (35%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Cleveland · Drive alone

71.7%

Cleveland is 15.5% (28%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Cleveland · Public transit

3.3%

Chicago is 9.7% (294%) higher than Cleveland

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Cleveland

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Cleveland · Single person

$2,929

Chicago is $778 (27%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Cleveland · Couple

$4,097

Chicago is $1,068 (26%) higher than Cleveland

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Cleveland · Family

$6,571

Chicago is $1,240 (19%) higher than Cleveland

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Cleveland.

Is Chicago or Cleveland more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $2,929/mo in Cleveland, Ohio, a difference of about 27%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Cleveland?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $995/mo in Cleveland, Ohio. Chicago is approximately $565 (57%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Cleveland?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Cleveland households earn approximately $62,823 per year.

More on Chicago and Cleveland

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Cleveland profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.