The minimum wage in Cleveland is $11.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $18.25/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Cleveland.
The minimum wage in Cleveland is the Ohio statewide rate of $11.00/hour. Ohio sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it each January for inflation; the higher rate applies to employers with annual gross receipts above the state threshold (about $405,000), while smaller employers and minors follow the federal $7.25. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Cleveland. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,100/month and a cost-of-living index of 90 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Cleveland, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.00 | $22,880 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $18.25 | $37,960 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $38.75 | $80,600 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Cuyahoga County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Cleveland.
Cleveland sits on the shore of Lake Erie with an economy anchored by world-class healthcare (the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals), manufacturing, financial services, and a revitalized downtown, and it remains a major Great Lakes port.
| Local Metric | Cleveland (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 360,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Cuyahoga County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 90 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.25/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.75/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,100/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Median home price | $120,000 |
| Median household income | $38,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.3% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Cleveland is the Ohio statewide rate of $11.00/hour. Ohio sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it each January for inflation; the higher rate applies to employers with annual gross receipts above the state threshold (about $405,000), while smaller employers and minors follow the federal $7.25. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $22,880 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Cuyahoga County needs about $18.25/hour (roughly $37,960/year) to cover basic costs. That is $7.25/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $38.75/hour.
At $11.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $22,880 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $17,160/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Cleveland is about $1,100/month, or $13,200/year.
Ohio sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it each January for inflation; the higher rate applies to employers with annual gross receipts above the state threshold (about $405,000), while smaller employers and minors follow the federal $7.25.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Ohio sets its own state minimum wage above the federal floor, and that higher rate applies in Cleveland for most employers.