Cleveland OH vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.7% | 36.1% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 39.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $233,814 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 57.1°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 48.5 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 34.5 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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