Cleveland OH vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 36.7% | 25.0% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.7% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 10.2% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $147,306 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Memphis
17.6%
Memphis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Memphis
19.9%
Memphis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Memphis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.7% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.9% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 19.9% | Memphis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 60.9°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 54.9 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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