City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Cleveland, OH

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cleveland - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

367,523
Residents
$39,187
Median income
$94,100
Median home
$1,279
Median rent (state)

Cleveland - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Cleveland lands in the 7th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
8th
percentile, home value
44th
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cleveland, OH

Cleveland is a mid-sized U.S. city in Ohio, home to 367,523 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $39,187 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 25.2%. Typical homes in Cleveland are valued around $94,100, and the median resident age is 36.3 years. Educational attainment runs 21.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 896 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 824% from five years earlier. Cleveland's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 5987.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 52.4°F with 41.0 inches of precipitation per year and 63.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Ohio at 92.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,279 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Ohio's average monthly utility costs around $228 (state average). The average commute for Cleveland workers runs 20.6 minutes, with 65.4% driving alone and 10.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 98.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

367,523 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$39,187 /yr

Poverty 25.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Cleveland compare to other US cities?

Cleveland measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 8% pricier than other cities
Median rent 44% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Ohio alone, Cleveland ranks #277 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Cleveland's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Ohio, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

7thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cleveland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cleveland's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 28 Avg. percentile National median
Cleveland's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cleveland's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$94,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cleveland $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cleveland, OH Cleveland, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cleveland, OH-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cleveland, OH median $39,187/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cleveland, OH's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cleveland, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
367,523
Median Income
$39,187
Median Home Value
$94,100
Median Age
36.3
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Labor force participation
53.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5987.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1561.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4426.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
41.0"
Annual Snowfall
63.8"

Schools

Total Schools
154
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
360,000 residents365,000 residents370,000 residents375,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 371,909 residents 363,608 residents ▼ -2.2%
Cleveland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
896
housing units authorized
Single-Family
234
detached homes
Multifamily
662
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 97
2020 117
2021 131
2022 521
2023 805
2024 896

Permit volume increased 824% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.6 minutes
Drive Alone
65.4%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
6.9%
Walk
5.3%
Work from Home
10.1%
Other
2.3%

Based on 154,328 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Ohio - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$78
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$228
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Ohio state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Ohio state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cleveland sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,279/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Cincinnati
309,595 people
Toledo
268,461 people
Akron
189,526 people
Dayton
136,741 people
Parma
80,131 people
Canton
70,105 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cleveland's 367,523 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

New Orleans, LA
376,035 people
Urban Honolulu, HI
346,323 people
Aurora, CO
390,201 people
Anaheim, CA
344,553 people
Tampa, FL
393,389 people
Arlington, TX
394,769 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cleveland's $39,187 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Columbia Furnace, VA
$39,191 median income
Wilburton, OK
$39,195 median income
Noel, MO
$39,196 median income
New River, VA
$39,196 median income
Cripple Creek, CO
$39,198 median income
Salem, MO
$39,200 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cleveland, OH Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cleveland, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 36.7% 46.8% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.8% White 36.7% Black or African American 46.8% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.6% Two or more races 9.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cleveland compares to nearby Ohio cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cleveland (this city) 367,523 $39,187
Cincinnati 309,595 $51,707
Toledo 268,461 $47,532
Akron 189,526 $48,544
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cleveland, OH?

What is the population of Cleveland, OH? +

367,523 people live in Cleveland, OH according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cleveland, OH? +

Median annual household income in Cleveland runs $39,187, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cleveland? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cleveland; the closest available measure is the Ohio state average, a cost of living index of 92.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Ohio vary by metro area.

Is Cleveland, OH safe? +

Cleveland has a total crime rate of 5987.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Cleveland, OH? +

The median home value in Cleveland is $94,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Cleveland? +

Cleveland has an average annual temperature of 52.4°F, 41.0 inches of precipitation, and 63.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.