Cleveland OH vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 36.7% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 46.8% | 21.3% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $376,530 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.9% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 73.4°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 46.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.8 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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