Cleveland OH vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 135,806 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.2 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 36.7% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 46.8% | 19.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $708,498 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 53.2 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.1 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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