Cleveland OH vs Columbus GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Columbus
204,383
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Columbus
46.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 204,383 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.3% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 39.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.8% | 46.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $32,811 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Columbus
$175,194
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $175,194 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.3% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.8% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 64.4°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 49.6 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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