Cleveland vs Austin

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Cleveland vs Austin

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cleveland has a housing index of 59 while Austin sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Cleveland costs $100,000 compared to $430,000 in Austin, a difference of $330,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $900 in Cleveland versus $1,700 in Austin.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cleveland scores 99 while Austin scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Cleveland (96) are lower than Austin (97). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Cleveland is $32,053 compared to $75,413 in Austin. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cleveland.

Relocating: Cleveland vs Austin

If you are considering a move between Cleveland (index: 87) and Austin (index: 107), the 19% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Cleveland is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Cleveland can afford $748/month, while the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month. With median homes at $100,000 in Cleveland versus $430,000 in Austin, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $900/month in Cleveland and $1,700/month in Austin, renters save significantly in Cleveland. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Cleveland where costs are 13% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Cleveland (87) vs Austin (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Cleveland at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Austin at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Austin costs meaningfully more than Cleveland, with a 20-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Cleveland scores 59 and Austin scores 123. That 64-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Cleveland with indices of 59 versus 123. Median home prices of $100,000 in Cleveland and $430,000 in Austin underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Cleveland has an edge in housing and utilities, while Austin is more affordable for groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $900/month in Cleveland and $1,700/month in Austin, the annual rent difference is approximately $9,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $48,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $330,000 difference in median home prices between Cleveland and Austin translates to roughly $19,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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