Cleveland OH vs Fresno CA — 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 36.7% | 38.0% | Fresno + |
| Black | 46.8% | 6.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Fresno
8.6%
Fresno +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $31,012 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.6% | Fresno + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 20.9% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 24.9% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $391,442 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.3% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 64.2°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Fresno has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA