Cleveland, OH vs Minneapolis, MN Cost of Living (2026)

Cleveland has a cost of living index of 92.8, about 7.2% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 79.7. Typical apartment rent is about $1,476 a month, and median home values are around $399,663. The median household income is approximately $50,000. For workers who earn average or above-average salaries, Cleveland offers exceptional purchasing power relative to nearly any other major US metro.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $107,800 in Cleveland. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Most everyday categories stay manageable here, although healthcare still runs a bit high.

Ohio has a progressive income tax, and Cleveland and the surrounding municipalities add local income taxes on top. Cleveland itself has a 2.5% city income tax, and the suburb where someone lives may also charge a local income tax, though residents typically receive partial credit to avoid full double taxation. Ohio's state income tax reaches 3.75% at the top bracket. The combined local and state burden is moderate but not negligible.

Like Detroit, Cleveland's affordability reflects a city that has lost significant population over the past 60 years, from a peak of nearly 900,000 in 1950 to roughly 370,000 today. The metro area is larger and more stable than the city itself. Suburbs like Lakewood, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Westlake have strong housing markets with good school systems and reasonably maintained infrastructure, and they carry higher prices than the city core. Workers who want affordability without sacrificing basic services typically find a better balance in the inner suburbs than in the city proper.

Minneapolis has a cost of living index of 92, about 8% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 80.5. Typical apartment rent is about $1,453 a month, and median home values are around $405,800. The median household income is approximately $80,000.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $108,700 in Minneapolis. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Several everyday categories, especially transportation and miscellaneous costs, stay below the national baseline.

Minnesota has a progressive income tax that tops out at 9.85%, the fourth-highest top rate in the country. At a $100,000 income, the marginal state rate is 7.85%, and the effective rate is around 6 to 7%. That's a real cost compared to no-income-tax states, and it's worth factoring into any comparison with cities in Texas or Florida. Minneapolis residents do not pay a separate city income tax.

Heating costs in Minneapolis are a significant part of the annual budget. Natural gas and electric bills from November through March can run $150 to $300 per month in a typical apartment, and homeowners in older housing stock may pay more. The city gets an average of 54 inches of snow per year, which also increases transportation costs and adds winter clothing and maintenance expenses that residents in warmer climates don't face.