Cleveland vs Denver

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 · Colorado salaries

Living in Cleveland vs Denver

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.

Relocating: Cleveland vs Denver

If you are considering a move between Cleveland (index: 87) and Denver (index: 118), the 26% 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 Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $100,000 in Cleveland versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $900/month in Cleveland and $1,900/month in Denver, 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 Denver (118)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Cleveland at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Denver costs meaningfully more than Cleveland, with a 31-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 Denver scores 152. That 93-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 152. Median home prices of $100,000 in Cleveland and $520,000 in Denver underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Cleveland has an edge in housing and groceries, while Denver is more affordable for utilities. 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 $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $12,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $60,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $420,000 difference in median home prices between Cleveland and Denver translates to roughly $25,200 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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