Cleveland, TN vs Oak Ridge, TN

Cleveland, TN and Oak Ridge, TN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Cleveland scores 81 while Oak Ridge scores 84 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 $966/month compared to $1,076/month in Oak Ridge — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cleveland has cheaper rent, Oak Ridge actually has lower median home values ($233,500 vs $241,800).

Median household income in Cleveland is $55,904 compared to $71,000 in Oak Ridge (-21.3%). While Oak Ridge 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 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oak Ridge.