Cleveland OH vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 36.7% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 46.8% | 8.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $541,899 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 25.9% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.4 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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