Oakland vs Cleveland: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Oakland, California compare to Cleveland, Ohio? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Cleveland is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 911% higher in Oakland compared to Cleveland, while rent is 117% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 3.5% in OH.
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Cleveland, OH | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $883,800 | $87,400 | +911.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,849 | $851 | +117.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $94,389 | $37,271 | +153.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $56,628 | $26,040 | +117.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 3.5% | +280.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 7.2% | +19.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 437,825 | 370,365 | +18.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Oakland
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Cleveland
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Oakland costs $883,800 compared to $87,400 in Cleveland — a 911% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,849/mo in Oakland vs $851/mo in Cleveland.
- Income: Median household income is $94,389 in Oakland and $37,271 in Cleveland.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 3.5% in Ohio.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).