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Columbus vs Cleveland: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Columbus is 6% more expensive than Cleveland. Cleveland is 8% safer. Columbus has more comfortable months (5 vs 5). Columbus population: 938,396. Cleveland population: 363,608.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingCleveland
SafetyCleveland
WeatherTie
HousingCleveland

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Columbus vs Cleveland

Cleveland is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 90 vs 95 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 5 index points.

CategoryColumbusCleveland
Overall Index9590
Housing$1,869/moIndex: 105$1,602/moIndex: 90
Groceries$402/moIndex: 98$402/moIndex: 98
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$350/moIndex: 100
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$202/moIndex: 92$209/moIndex: 95

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Columbus vs Cleveland

Cleveland is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents vs Columbus's 26.2. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade compared to Columbus's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Columbus

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.2/1K
TrendImproving
C+

Cleveland

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate24/1K
TrendImproving
MetricColumbusCleveland
Overall Crime Rate26.2/1K24/1K
Violent Crime Rate482.7403.5
Property Crime Rate2136.81998.8
Murder Rate7.17.6
Assault Rate369.5255.1
Robbery Rate66.670.4
Burglary Rate327.6261.0
Theft Rate1819.11235.3
Vehicle Theft Rate497.2442.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Columbus, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Cleveland.

Climate: Columbus vs Cleveland

Columbus Climate Overview

Annual High62.1°F
Annual Low43.8°F
Annual Rain39.3"
Annual Snow22.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Cleveland Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low43.8°F
Annual Rain36.8"
Annual Snow41.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ColumbusClevelandHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MetricColumbusCleveland
Avg Annual High62.1°F59.3°F
Avg Annual Low43.8°F43.8°F
Annual Rain39.3"36.8"
Annual Snow22.5"41.5"
Comfortable Months55
Freezing Months34

Columbus is 3°F warmer in summer than Cleveland, but winter temperatures are comparable. Cleveland gets significantly more snow (42" vs 23").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus cheaper than Cleveland?
Cleveland is 6% more affordable than Columbus, with a cost of living index of 90 vs 95 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $1,869/mo in Columbus vs $1,602/mo in Cleveland.
Is Columbus safer than Cleveland?
Cleveland is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents vs Columbus's 26.2. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Which city has better weather, Columbus or Cleveland?
Columbus is 2.8000000000000043°F warmer on average as Cleveland. Columbus has more comfortable months (5 vs 5). Annual snow: Columbus gets 23", Cleveland gets 42".
Should I move to Columbus or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland is safer (C+ grade). Cleveland is more affordable (index 90 vs 95). Columbus has better year-round weather. Columbus has a population of 938,396 and Cleveland has 363,608. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Columbus compared to Cleveland?
Columbus has a population of 938,396 and Cleveland has 363,608. Columbus is 158% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Columbus or Cleveland?
Housing is cheaper in Cleveland. Estimated monthly housing costs: Columbus $1,869/mo vs Cleveland $1,602/mo. That's based on a housing index of 105 vs 90 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Columbus Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Cleveland Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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