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Cleveland, Ohio

Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Cleveland.

MapsToIt planning snapshot

How much does it cost to live in Cleveland?

Cleveland planning snapshot: population 365,379, housing index 49 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog), median home $94,100, median rent $894, and income near $39,187. Expect 79°F summer highs, 26°F winter lows, and about 24-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1516.6 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).

· Source vintages vary — see per-metric labels below · Methodology & sources

Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.

Housing cost index
49U.S. avg 100
Median home value
$94,100U.S. $303,400
Median rent
$894U.S. $1,348
Median income
$39,187U.S. $78,538
Unemployment
3.3%U.S. 4.2%
Avg commute
24 minCatalog avg 25 min
Violent crime
1516.6per 100k · avg 586.6
Summer high
79°FCatalog avg 87°F
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Key figures

Each metric shows how Cleveland compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).

Population
365,379City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Median household income
$39,187Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
50% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538
Housing cost index
49ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
51% below U.S. avgU.S. 100
Median home value
$94,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
69% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400
Median rent
$894City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
34% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348
Unemployment
3.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts
Avg commute
24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
Walk Score
5727% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
Violent crime rate
1516.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
159% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6
Property crime rate
4467.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
45% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9
Summer high
79°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
Winter low
26°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
Annual rainfall
33.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
Sunny days
227As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15% below U.S. avgU.S. 268

Population trend

Cleveland declined 7.7% from 395,926 in 2010 to 365,379 in 2024.

Dec 2024365,379 people-7.7% vs 2010
201020172024

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.

Is Cleveland expensive compared to the U.S. average?

Compared with the U.S. average, Cleveland runs 51 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.

  • Housing cost index 49 (U.S. 100)
  • Median home $94,100 vs U.S. $303,400
  • Median rent $894 vs U.S. $1,348

How much does housing cost in Cleveland?

Budget first around $894/month rent or $94,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.

  • Median home value $94,100
  • Median rent $894/month
  • Median household income $39,187

What is the job market like in Cleveland?

Labor-market context for Cleveland: unemployment 3.3% and median income $39,187. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.

  • Unemployment 3.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
  • Median income $39,187

How long is the typical commute in Cleveland?

Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way in Cleveland. Walk Score estimates around 57 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.

  • 24 minutes average one-way
  • Walk Score 57/100

Is Cleveland safer than similar U.S. cities?

Cleveland's FBI-derived violent rate (~1516.6/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.

  • Violent 1516.6 per 100k
  • Property 4467.2 per 100k

What is the climate like year-round in Cleveland?

Cleveland's climate profile: 79°F summer peaks, 26°F winter mornings, 33.3" annual rainfall, and 227 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.

  • Summer high 79°F
  • Winter low 26°F
  • 33.3 in rain · 227 sunny days

Great Lakes industry towns and Midwestern seasons still set the tone. Expect summer highs near 79°F and winter lows around 26°F. Average one-way commute time is about 24 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 57/100. Labor-market readings near 3.3% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1516.6 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.

About 365,379 people live in Cleveland, OH. With median income around $39,187 and a cost index of 49, the market reads among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs. Entry home prices around $94,100 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.

Cleveland is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Cleveland with nearby alternatives before you relocate.

Nearby & similar cities

Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.

Sources

  • Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Cleveland city, 1600000US3916000) As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
  • BLS: BLS LAUS · Cuyahoga County, July 2026 As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
  • Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
  • Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00004853 CLEVELAND BURKE AP) As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
  • Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024

Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10

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