Cleveland OH vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 36.7% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $1,006,261 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.9% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 61.6°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.9 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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