Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
51% cheaper
Cleveland is 51% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $36,657 in Cleveland.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Ohio salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Cleveland sits at 59 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $100,000 in Cleveland, a difference of $790,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $900 in Cleveland.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cambridge scores 110 while Cleveland scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Cleveland (96).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $32,053 in Cleveland. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cleveland.
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