Cleveland OH vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 303,620 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 36.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 46.8% | 22.5% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 4.2% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $240,538 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 39.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.0 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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