Cleveland OH vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.9% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 11.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.0% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Detroit
$39,575
Detroit +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Cleveland +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Cleveland +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Cleveland +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $39,575 | Detroit + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $24,029 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 14.1% | Cleveland + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 31.5% | Cleveland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 17.6% | Cleveland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Cleveland +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Cleveland +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 45.6% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.2% | Cleveland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 22.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 21.8% | Cleveland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cleveland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Detroit leads in median household income at $39,575, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Cleveland has a lower unemployment rate at 11.5%, and Cleveland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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