Cleveland OH vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 220,482 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 36.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 46.8% | 10.5% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $496,966 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 53.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 39.2 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 31.1 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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