Cleveland OH vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 36.7% | 35.5% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 22.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $265,062 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 42.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 24.0% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 48.7 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 29.6 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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