Cleveland OH vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 36.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.0% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $324,946 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.7% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 69.8°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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