Abilene vs Cleveland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Cleveland
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 8.0% less than Cleveland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $81,563 in Cleveland.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $81,563 in Cleveland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cleveland equals $68,966 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Cleveland
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Cleveland's 59, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $100,000. The $79,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $900/mo in Cleveland, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Cleveland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Cleveland. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 96 in Cleveland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $384 in Cleveland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 96 in Cleveland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $32,053 in Cleveland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $36,843 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $748/month in Cleveland. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Cleveland, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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