Cleveland OH vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.7 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 36.7% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $1,369,171 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 38.5% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 55.3°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.9 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA