Side-by-side comparison

Cleveland vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Cleveland, Ohio and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Philadelphia is approximately 15% more expensive than Cleveland. A single person needs about $3,382/mo in Philadelphia versus $2,929/mo in Cleveland.

Rent in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cleveland · Studio

$881

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Philadelphia is $491 (56%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 1 bedroom

$995

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Philadelphia is $517 (52%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 2 bedroom

$1,208

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Philadelphia is $594 (49%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 3 bedroom

$1,553

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Philadelphia is $618 (40%) higher than Cleveland

Income & earnings in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cleveland · Household income

$62,823

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Cleveland is $2,125 (4%) higher than Philadelphia

Cleveland · Individual earnings

$42,589

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Cleveland is $111 (0%) higher than Philadelphia

Cleveland · Per capita

$41,559

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Cleveland is $3,890 (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Cleveland · Average home value

$183,200

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Philadelphia is $49,200 (27%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Annual property tax

$3,819

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Cleveland is $1,867 (96%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cleveland · Monthly electricity

$131

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Philadelphia is $12 (9%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Monthly gas

$63

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Cleveland is $1 (2%) higher than Philadelphia

Cleveland · Annual total

$2,328

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $132 (6%) higher than Cleveland

Healthcare in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cleveland · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Cleveland and Philadelphia are about the same

Cleveland · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Cleveland and Philadelphia are about the same

Cleveland · Uninsured rate

5.5%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Philadelphia is 1.7% (31%) higher than Cleveland

Taxes in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Cleveland · State income tax

3.5%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Cleveland is 0.4% (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Cleveland · State sales tax

5.8%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia is 0.3% (4%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Cleveland is 0.9% (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Cleveland · Average commute

23.6 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 8.4 min (36%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Drive alone

71.7%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Cleveland is 25.0% (54%) higher than Philadelphia

Cleveland · Public transit

3.3%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 14.6% (442%) higher than Cleveland

Monthly cost estimates in Cleveland vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Cleveland · Single person

$2,929

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Philadelphia is $453 (15%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Couple

$4,097

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Philadelphia is $463 (11%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Family

$6,571

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Philadelphia is $488 (7%) higher than Cleveland

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cleveland and Philadelphia.

Is Cleveland or Philadelphia more expensive?

Philadelphia is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $2,929/mo in Cleveland, Ohio and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 15%.

What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cleveland, Ohio is $995/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is approximately $517 (52%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cleveland or Philadelphia?

Cleveland has the higher average household income. Cleveland households earn approximately $62,823 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Cleveland and Philadelphia

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

Cleveland profile Philadelphia 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.