Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
26% cheaper
Cleveland is 26% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $55,297 in Cleveland.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Colorado salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cleveland has a housing index of 59 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Cleveland costs $100,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $420,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $900 in Cleveland versus $1,900 in Denver.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cleveland scores 99 while Denver scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cleveland (96) are lower than Denver (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cleveland is $32,053 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cleveland.
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