Cleveland OH vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.7% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 46.8% | 12.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $480,548 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 61.0°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.0 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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