Cleveland: The Data Profile (2026)

Cleveland presents a compelling, albeit complex, value proposition for the post-remote workforce. The city's statistical profile is defined by a significant arbitrage opportunity between income and cost. The population stands at 362,670, categorizing it as a mid-size urban center. The critical data point for potential relocators is the $39,041 median income, which sits -47.7% below the US average of $74,580. However, this income disparity is directly offset by a Cost of Living Index of 78.5 for housing, representing a -21.5% discount against the national average.

The educational attainment landscape suggests a specific economic dynamic. With only 22.5% of the population holding a college degree—compared to the US average of 33.1%—the city is statistically positioned for skilled trades, healthcare support, and service management roles rather than high-density tech or finance sectors. The target demographic for a Cleveland relocation is the "Geo-Arbitrage Specialist": a remote worker earning a national-average salary who can leverage the local housing discount to maximize disposable income, or a professional in the medical/industrial sectors seeking a lower cost base.

Cost of Living Analysis

The aggregate cost of living in Cleveland is -8.5% lower than the national average, driven primarily by the housing sector. While utilities remain aligned with national norms at 15.99 cents/kWh, the aggregate index for groceries (90.1), transportation (90.2), and healthcare (92.6) provides consistent savings.

Disposable Income Analysis:
A single earner making the median income of $39,041 (approx. $3,253 monthly gross) faces a tight budget, with the $2,659 monthly expense leaving little room for savings after taxes. However, a remote worker earning the US median of $74,580 (approx. $6,215 monthly gross) would retain approximately $3,556 in monthly disposable income after taxes and the family budget, a savings rate that is difficult to achieve in coastal metros.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market is the city's primary economic driver. Buying is exceptionally accessible relative to the national curve, with median home prices roughly $140,000 below the US average. Renting is also discounted, but the spread between the two metrics favors ownership for long-term stability.

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
With a median home price of $210,000, the price-to-rent ratio suggests buying is financially superior if the resident plans to stay for more than 3 years. The -40.0% discount on home prices allows for significant equity accumulation that renting cannot match. For the remote worker, purchasing a home at $210,000 with a 20% down payment results in a mortgage significantly lower than the average rent in most US metros.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

Cleveland's economy is anchored by healthcare (Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals) and advanced manufacturing. The 4.5% unemployment rate is slightly elevated above the national 4.0%, indicating a moderately tighter labor market for local on-site roles. However, for the post-remote era, the metric is less relevant.

RTO and Commute:
The average one-way commute time in Cleveland is 23 minutes. This is significantly lower than the national average of 27 minutes. For those hybrid-remote workers required in office 1-2 days a week, the reduced time burden is a quality-of-life asset. The city's layout allows for sub-30-minute access to the downtown core from most suburbs, mitigating the friction of hybrid work models.

Quality of Life Audit

Cleveland trades economic velocity for affordability, but this comes with notable health risk factors. The Health Score of 73.8/100 is categorized as "Fair," dragged down by high rates of chronic disease. Air quality is moderate, and safety metrics align with national averages.

Safety Analysis:
Cleveland's safety profile is statistically average, not high-risk. Violent crime stands at 309 incidents per 100k people, which is actually -18.7% lower than the US average of 380. Property crime is 2234 per 100k, roughly +11.7% higher than the US average of 2000, suggesting a need for standard urban security precautions.

Schools and Weather:

• Schools: With college education at 22.5%, the K-12 public system performance varies. Suburban districts (e.g., Orange, Solon) score in the top 10% nationally, while city proper schools struggle.
• Weather: The current conditions of 39.0°F and "Mostly Cloudy" are indicative of the region's climate. Residents must prepare for 4 distinct seasons, with winters averaging 25°F and summers averaging 82°F.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Housing Arbitrage: A median home price of $210,000 allows for wealth generation on a modest salary.
• Commute Efficiency: Average commute of 23 minutes reduces daily friction.
• Healthcare Access: Access to world-class medical infrastructure at Cleveland Clinic.
• Safety: Violent crime is -18.7% lower than the national average.

Cons:

• Health Risks: Obesity (42.2%) and Diabetes (17.7%) rates are critically high.
• Local Wages: Median income of $39,041 is insufficient for independent living without external (remote) income.
• Air Quality: AQI of 54 is acceptable but worse than coastal benchmarks.

Recommendation:
Cleveland is a Strong Buy for remote workers earning $75,000+ annually. The economic math is undeniable: you can live on $2,659/month while earning a national salary. It is Not Recommended for local job seekers unless employed in the healthcare or industrial sectors, where wages are more competitive.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Cleveland?
For a single person, a salary of $55,000 allows for a comfortable budget including rent, savings, and discretionary spending. For a family of four, $85,000 is the threshold for stability.

2. How does the value compare to other Midwest cities?
Cleveland offers a -10% lower cost of living than Columbus and -15% lower than Chicago, specifically driven by housing which is $50,000 cheaper on average than Columbus.

3. Are the safety statistics reliable?
Yes. The violent crime rate of 309/100k is statistically safer than the national average. However, property crime is slightly elevated; home security systems are recommended.

4. Is the current weather typical?
Today's high of 46°F is slightly below the annual average. Expect 90+ days per year above 80°F and significant snowfall in Q1, averaging 60 inches annually.