Cleveland OH vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.1 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 36.7% | 29.0% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 2.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $1,452,609 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 61.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.4 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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