Cost of Living in Cleveland, TN

Population 48,185 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

77
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cleveland lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $242,000 — 21% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Tennessee.

Geographically, Cleveland sits roughly 25 miles east of Chattanooga. Housing prices track closely with Chattanooga's $259,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 74

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Cleveland

The median home value in Cleveland is $241,800 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $966/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,904/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 72.2°F and lows of 51.5°F, with about 3.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Cleveland has a cost of living index of 77 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$241,800
21% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$305,821
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$966/mo
26% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,377/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 50.3%
Renter-occupied 49.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$966
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,580/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.1 min
18% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.7%
Carpooled
11.1%
Walked
2.2%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
7.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$55,904
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,510
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
12% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Labor Force Participation
60.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.6%
Graduate degree 12.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.1
Male median age 33.7
Female median age 37.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.2°F
Avg Low
51.5°F
Annual Precip
55"
Annual Snowfall
3.6"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515664748188919084746253
Low °F 323642505967717064514035
Precip" 5.025.035.344.873.944.185.083.674.233.594.805.25
Snow" 1.01.21.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92.5%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
26
Public schools
16,077
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cleveland, TN?

Cleveland has a cost index of 77 (100 = national average). It is 23% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cleveland, TN?

The median gross rent in Cleveland is $966 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cleveland?

The median home value in Cleveland is $241,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cleveland?

The median household income in Cleveland is $55,904 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cleveland, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cleveland is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Cleveland, TN affordable?

Yes, Cleveland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 77 — about 23% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Cleveland?

Cleveland has average high temperatures of 72.2°F and average lows of 51.5°F. Annual precipitation is 55". Average annual snowfall is 3.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cleveland at a Glance

Population
48,185
Median Income
$55,904
Home Value
$241,800
Median Rent
$966/mo
Unemployment
5.4%
Avg High Temp
72.2°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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