Cleveland OH vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 26,509 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.7 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 36.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 46.8% | 3.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 3.9% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $344,633 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1992 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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