Cleveland OH vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
New York
35.9%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.0 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 36.7% | 35.9% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 22.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $816,078 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 32.8% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.9% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 55.4°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 46.6 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 44.2 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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