Cleveland OH vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 192,696 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.5 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 36.7% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 46.8% | 3.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $510,577 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, 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%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 41.6 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.1 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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