Cleveland OH vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 44,998 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 57.8 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 36.7% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $503,393 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.7% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 63.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA