Cleveland, MS vs Columbus, MS

Cleveland, MS and Columbus, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Cleveland scores 71 while Columbus scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cleveland is $860/month compared to $882/month in Columbus — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cleveland has cheaper rent, Columbus actually has lower median home values ($121,200 vs $162,300).

Median household income in Cleveland is $43,519 compared to $40,588 in Columbus (+7.2%). While Cleveland is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cleveland spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Columbus.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 64°F). Columbus receives more rainfall at 60" per year compared to 49" in Cleveland.