Cleveland OH vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 36.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 46.8% | 7.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $411,323 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.3% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 72.1°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.7 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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