Cleveland OH vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 138,723 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.9 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 36.7% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 46.8% | 1.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $671,948 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.0% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 65.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.2 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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