Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Cleveland, Tennessee

Downtown Cleveland, Tennessee, in Bradley County
Photo by Harrison Keely via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Cleveland costs

A growing city needs a complete carrying-cost budget

Census estimates for 2020 through 2024 place median owner value at $272,200, median gross rent at $1,034, and median selected owner costs at $1,525 with a mortgage or $527 without one. Median household income was $58,559.

Add taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, parking, transportation, care, prescriptions, Greenway access, and regional specialists. A central home may cost more while reducing some driving, so compare the full household pattern.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,756 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$796
Utilities (in rent)
$226
Food
$460/mo
Transportation
$1,064/mo
Healthcare
$436

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,800

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,194

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$796

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$231/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Low

Good

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
12.8%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
35.6%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
39.7%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$45,007

Could Cleveland fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,756 per month
Two people
$4,194 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$796
Food
$460
Transportation
$1,064
Healthcare
$436

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Cleveland in everyday life

Could Cleveland work for you?

What may work well

  • Census provides clear city housing benchmarks.
  • A local hospital and Greenway may reduce some recurring travel.

What to think about

  • Population growth can affect traffic and housing demand.
  • Parking, regional care, weather, and transportation may change costs.

Price a Cleveland household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, traffic, parking, taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, and access visible for each home.

  2. Map recurring trips

    Price hospital, pharmacy, groceries, Greenway, transit, family, and regional care from the exact address.

  3. Reserve for weather

    Keep room for cooling, drainage, repairs, power, and a ride when heavy rain or heat changes the route.

Questions retirees ask

Is the $527 figure the full cost of owning without a mortgage?

No. It is the Census median for selected owner costs without a mortgage. Add taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, care, parking, and transportation.

Why can two Cleveland homes have different budgets?

Traffic, distance, parking, insurance, utilities, drainage, repairs, transit, and access to the Greenway and care vary by address.

Cleveland's housing benchmarks are a starting point. Price the home, care route, Greenway access, transportation, parking, weather, and repairs together.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.