Cleveland OH vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 308,160 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 36.7% | 38.7% | Irvine + |
| Black | 46.8% | 2.0% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $1,566,872 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 65.3°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.0 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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