Cleveland OH vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 307,188 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 36.7% | 16.5% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 46.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.9% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Newark
10.9%
Newark +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Cleveland +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $25,509 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 10.9% | Newark + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 17.4% | Cleveland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $482,675 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 24.1% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.0% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 23.4% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 54.9°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 46.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 35.9 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Newark has a lower unemployment rate at 10.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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