Traverse City, MI vs Cleveland, OH: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Cleveland, OH and Traverse City, MI are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Traverse City works out to about $75,400 in Cleveland, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.6% higher in Cleveland, goods 0.1% lower and other services 0.6% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,440 a month in Cleveland and $1,853 in Traverse City, $4,956 a year less in Cleveland (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $250,000 in Cleveland and $419,000 in Traverse City.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.7%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Traverse City and Cleveland
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
All items Traverse City, MI: 93.4 Cleveland, OH: 93.9
Goods Traverse City, MI: 93.7 Cleveland, OH: 93.6
Housing (rents) Traverse City, MI: 78.1 Cleveland, OH: 79.4
Utilities Traverse City, MI: 92.4 Cleveland, OH: 96.0
Other services Traverse City, MI: 99.6 Cleveland, OH: 98.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.4 | 93.9 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 78.1 | 79.4 |
| Utilities | 92.4 | 96.0 |
| Other services | 99.6 | 98.9 |
| Category | Traverse City | Cleveland | Cleveland vs Traverse City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.4 | 93.9 | +0.6% |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.6 | −0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 78.1 | 79.4 | +1.6% |
| Utilities | 92.4 | 96.0 | +3.9% |
| Other services | 99.6 | 98.9 | −0.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,853 | $1,440 | −22.3% |
| Typical home value | $419,000 | $250,000 | −40.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Traverse City | $75,000 | $75,400 | +0.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Traverse City and Cleveland has narrowed since 2008: 7.3 points then, 0.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.3 | 92.6 |
| 2009 | 89.4 | 96.1 |
| 2010 | 94.2 | 94.2 |
| 2011 | 88.2 | 94.8 |
| 2012 | 91.7 | 95.0 |
| 2013 | 90.0 | 96.3 |
| 2014 | 90.1 | 96.0 |
| 2015 | 91.2 | 95.4 |
| 2016 | 89.7 | 95.4 |
| 2017 | 88.9 | 95.3 |
| 2018 | 92.7 | 94.6 |
| 2019 | 93.6 | 94.3 |
| 2020 | 90.4 | 93.3 |
| 2021 | 93.4 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 93.3 | 93.0 |
| 2023 | 90.6 | 92.9 |
| 2024 | 93.4 | 93.9 |
Goods
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 76.8 | 90.3 |
| 2009 | 84.7 | 95.5 |
| 2010 | 93.4 | 92.4 |
| 2011 | 94.1 | 95.1 |
| 2012 | 95.3 | 98.0 |
| 2013 | 94.7 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 95.6 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 96.0 | 96.7 |
| 2016 | 94.4 | 94.9 |
| 2017 | 93.7 | 95.5 |
| 2018 | 97.1 | 97.3 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 93.7 | 93.9 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 92.1 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 94.1 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.7 | 93.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 80.8 | 85.2 |
| 2009 | 84.6 | 88.0 |
| 2010 | 93.4 | 86.6 |
| 2011 | 71.3 | 85.0 |
| 2012 | 79.8 | 82.2 |
| 2013 | 75.0 | 90.1 |
| 2014 | 74.2 | 84.4 |
| 2015 | 84.8 | 83.0 |
| 2016 | 80.5 | 83.8 |
| 2017 | 80.5 | 83.6 |
| 2018 | 78.0 | 83.6 |
| 2019 | 79.5 | 79.4 |
| 2020 | 70.8 | 80.9 |
| 2021 | 81.4 | 81.7 |
| 2022 | 83.8 | 81.8 |
| 2023 | 69.5 | 78.2 |
| 2024 | 78.1 | 79.4 |
Utilities
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.4 | 112.7 |
| 2009 | 92.4 | 112.6 |
| 2010 | 100.6 | 90.4 |
| 2011 | 95.0 | 90.4 |
| 2012 | 98.0 | 86.6 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 92.3 |
| 2014 | 92.8 | 89.6 |
| 2015 | 93.4 | 93.2 |
| 2016 | 96.6 | 90.4 |
| 2017 | 93.4 | 82.9 |
| 2018 | 97.2 | 94.4 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 90.4 |
| 2020 | 97.9 | 91.3 |
| 2021 | 98.7 | 92.1 |
| 2022 | 92.4 | 87.2 |
| 2023 | 92.0 | 88.3 |
| 2024 | 92.4 | 96.0 |
Other services
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.5 | 95.4 |
| 2009 | 95.0 | 98.3 |
| 2010 | 94.8 | 98.1 |
| 2011 | 92.5 | 98.1 |
| 2012 | 94.7 | 97.8 |
| 2013 | 93.5 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 94.1 | 99.3 |
| 2015 | 91.1 | 98.6 |
| 2016 | 90.4 | 99.9 |
| 2017 | 89.7 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 96.5 | 96.3 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 98.5 |
| 2020 | 97.8 | 97.6 |
| 2021 | 97.9 | 97.5 |
| 2022 | 98.2 | 97.7 |
| 2023 | 97.7 | 97.5 |
| 2024 | 99.6 | 98.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,440 in Cleveland vs $1,853 in Traverse City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $813 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $820 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $826 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $821 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $829 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $840 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $841 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $834 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $852 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $869 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $867 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $861 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $882 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $890 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $896 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $904 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $916 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $938 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $940 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $939 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $960 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $984 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,009 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $999 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $1,028 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $1,054 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,088 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,106 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | – | $1,126 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,454 | $1,165 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,435 | $1,184 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,430 | $1,179 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,473 | $1,194 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,638 | $1,218 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,591 | $1,238 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,528 | $1,253 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,666 | $1,270 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,681 | $1,306 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,661 | $1,317 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,609 | $1,332 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,677 | $1,350 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,756 | $1,368 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,774 | $1,378 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,695 | $1,392 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,785 | $1,412 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,852 | $1,420 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,853 | $1,440 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $250,000 in Cleveland vs $419,000 in Traverse City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Traverse City, MI
- Cleveland, OH
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Traverse City, MI | Cleveland, OH | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $196K | $122K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $197K | $123K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $199K | $126K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $203K | $127K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $207K | $129K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $208K | $131K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $208K | $131K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $211K | $133K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $216K | $135K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $220K | $137K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $223K | $139K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $226K | $141K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $231K | $143K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $234K | $146K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $238K | $148K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $240K | $149K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $243K | $153K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $244K | $154K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $246K | $155K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $156K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $257K | $159K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $256K | $160K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $261K | $163K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $276K | $172K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $294K | $179K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $315K | $187K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $327K | $189K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $332K | $189K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $347K | $197K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $366K | $206K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $367K | $207K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $366K | $207K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $367K | $207K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $380K | $211K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $388K | $216K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $388K | $219K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $392K | $222K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $398K | $227K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $402K | $230K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $407K | $233K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $407K | $236K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $408K | $238K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $407K | $241K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $410K | $243K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $415K | $246K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $417K | $248K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $419K | $250K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Traverse City, MI
- Cost of living in Cleveland, OH
- Reverse: moving from Cleveland to Traverse City
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.