Cleveland OH vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 36.7% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 46.8% | 43.3% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.6% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $580,173 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.1% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 24.0% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 32.8 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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