Cleveland OH vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 132,893 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.7% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 46.8% | 30.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 25.0% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $330,564 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 28.4% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.7% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 47.1 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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