Living in Cleveland vs Columbus 🤷 | Cost of Living in Columbus vs Cleveland, Jobs, Attractions & More (2024)

• January 15, 2023
• City comparison
• Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio

Last Updated on: 7th March 2023, 04:21 pm

Are you trying to decide about moving to Cleveland or Columbus? It can be hard to choose between two similar cities, especially when each has something special and unique to offer and its own pros and cons. To help you decide, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages between Cleveland and Columbus.

Cleveland has plenty of safe neighborhoods to settle down in and call home, and Cleveland is best known for being one of the most diverse cities in Ohio. A few historical places to explore in Cleveland include: Old Stone Church, Cleveland Arcade, Connor Palace Theatre, and the Terminal Tower.

Columbus is the city with the most residents. It’s home to 6 Fortune 500 companies and is the base for the largest research and development company, Chemical Abstracts Services. A few popular landmarks in Columbus include: Rhodes State Office Tower, Ohio Judicial Center, and the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Columbus is best known as a hip space for young adults, a large tech industry, and a growing art scene.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Cleveland vs. Columbus

If you’re trying to decide between these Ohio cities, you’re probably trying to decide which one is the best. To help you make your decision, we’re sharing the strengths and weaknesses when it comes to Cleveland and Columbus.

But regardless if you choose to retire in Cleveland or Columbus, OH, both places were named one of the best places to retire, according to The Center Square. Here are Cleveland’s pros and cons vs. Columbus’ pros and cons.

Living In Cleveland Pros

Cleveland is a wonderful place to live as a family, young professional, or someone looking to retire. There are so many things to do throughout the city of Cleveland that you’ll never get bored.

One of the top benefits of living in Cleveland is the endless things to do and places to see. Some of the highly-recommended Cleveland attractions include Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Botanical Garden, A Christmas Story House, West Side Market, and the Cleveland Public Square.

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Living In Cleveland Cons

While Cleveland is a great place to live, just like any other city, there are some disadvantages to living here. Some of the main cons of moving to Cleveland, OH, include: a higher unemployment rate than Columbus, a higher crime rate than the national average, and the median salaries being lower than the state average.

Living In Columbus Pros

Columbus is one of the best cities to raise a family in the state of Ohio. It has plenty of fun attractions, things to do, places to see, and restaurants to try. The beautiful city of Columbus is an affordable place to settle down, start a family, or be an entrepreneur (according to BizJournals).

Some of the top attractions in Columbus are the Center of Science & Industry, Columbus Museum of Art, the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory Botanical Gardens, Topiary Park, Otherworld, and the John F Wolfe Columbus Commons.

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Living In Columbus Cons

When it comes to the disadvantages of living in Columbus, OH, the main ones include cold weather, higher cost of living than other parts of the state, higher crime rates compared to the national average, and higher tax rates.

Comparisons Of Cleveland vs. Columbus

Columbus has more residents than Cleveland, but the population density is similar between the two cities. Columbus does have a higher median household income, but Cleveland is a 14.1% cheaper place to live than Columbus, something we will share more about in the next section.

Cleveland Population and Demographics

• Cleveland Population: 368,006
• Cleveland Population Density: 4,734.1 people per square mile
• Cleveland Median Age: 36 years old
• Cleveland Female vs Male: 51% Female and 49% Male
• Cleveland Median Household Income: $35,562 which is below the state median income of $62,262
• Cleveland Educational Attainment: 84.2% of residents have graduated high school, and 21.7% have gotten their Bachelor’s degree

Columbus Population and Demographics

• Columbus Population: 907,310
• Columbus Population Density: 4,122 people per square mile
• Columbus Median Age: 33 years old
• Columbus Female vs Male: 51% Female and 49% Male
• Columbus Median Household Income: $58,202, which is below the state median income of $62,262
• Columbus Educational Attainment: 90.8% of residents have graduated high school, and 38.4% have gotten their Bachelor’s degree

The Cost Of Living In Cleveland vs. Columbus

Cleveland is a more affordable place to live than Columbus. Cleveland has a Cost of Living Index of (COLI) 27.7% lower than the national average, whereas Columbus is only 13.6% lower than the national average. Plus, when it comes to a family of four, according to the Economic Policy Institute, you’d need $6,126 more per year to live in Columbus compared to Cleveland. When you look at the cost of living, the advantage goes to Cleveland, OH!

Typical Cleveland Living Expenses

• Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $13.00
• Domestic Beer (1 pint draught): $6.00
• Milk (regular, 1 gallon): $3.71
• Bread (1 loaf): $2.71
• Oranges (1 lb): $1.13
• Apples (1 lb): $2.14
• Beef Round (1 lb): $9.76
• Eggs (regular, 12): $3.53
• Average Cost of Gasoline Per Gallon: $3.45
• Fitness Club (Per Month, 1 Adult): $34.45
• Average Cleveland Utilities Per Month: $351
• Cleveland Cost of Living Index: 27.7% above the national average
• Average Cleveland Cost Of Living For A Family Of 4 (Economic Policy Institute): $74,785
• Cleveland Monthly Rent (Average): $1,316
• Cleveland Median Home Price: $115,500

Source: Numbeo

Typical Columbus Living Expenses

• Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00
• Domestic Beer (1 pint draught): $5.00
• Milk (regular, 1 gallon): $3.17
• Bread (1 loaf): $2.16
• Oranges (1 lb): $1.62
• Apples (1 lb): $2.26
• Beef Round (1 lb): $7.16
• Eggs (regular, 12): $3.10
• Average Cost of Gasoline Per Gallon: $3.73
• Fitness Club (Per Month, 1 Adult): $41.77
• Average Columbus Utilities Per Month: $372
• Columbus Cost of Living Index: 13.6% lower than the national average
• Average Columbus Cost Of Living For A Family Of 4 (Economic Policy Institute): $80,911
• Columbus Monthly Rent (Average): $1,184
• Columbus Median Home Price: $250,000

Source: Numbeo

Cleveland vs. Columbus Crime Rates

If you look at the total crime rate, Columbus is safer than Cleveland. While Columbus might have a lower overall crime rate, it’s essential to note that doesn’t mean Cleveland isn’t a safe place. Most of the crimes in Cleveland are property crimes, and these numbers are only a fraction of what goes into determining the safety of a city. Similarly to any other city, there are plenty of safe and family-friendly neighborhoods in Cleveland and Columbus, OH.

Cleveland Crime Rate

• Cleveland Total Crime Rate: 5,727 per 100k people, which is 144.1% lower than the national average
• Cleveland Violent Crime Rate: 1,657 per 100k people, which is 327.3% higher than the national average
• Cleveland Property Crime Rate: 4,071 per 100k people, which is 107.9% lower than the national average

Interested in learning more about the crime rates in Cleveland?

Columbus Crime Rate

• Columbus Total Crime Rate: 3,686 per 100k people, which is 57.1% higher than the national average
• Columbus Violent Crime Rate: 556 per 100k people, which is 43.4% higher than the national average
• Columbus Property Crime Rate: 3,130 per 100k people, which is 59.8% higher than the national average

Cleveland vs. Columbus Weather/Climate

When you look at the average rainfall, snowfall, temperature throughout the year, and the best time to visit, these Ohio cities are almost identical, with the main difference being the type of climate. Cleveland is continental, and Columbus is humid continental.

Cleveland Weather & Climate

• Cleveland Climate Type: Cleveland is a continental climate (Cfa) according to the Koppen climate classification
• Cleveland Average Rainfall: 27.1 inches per year
• Cleveland Average Snowfall: 11.3 inches per year
• Cleveland Average Daily High Temperature Range (Yearly): The mid-30s to the low-80s
• Cleveland Average Daily Low Temperature Range (Yearly): The low-20s to mid-60s
• Cleveland Best Time To Visit: June to September

Columbus Weather & Climate

• Columbus Climate Type: Columbus is a humid continental (Dfa climate) according to the Koppen climate classification
• Columbus Average Rainfall: 30.4 inches per year
• Columbus Average Snowfall: 8.9 inches per year
• Columbus Average Daily High Temperature Range (Yearly): Mid-30s to the mid-80s
• Columbus Average Daily Low Temperature Range (Yearly): Low-20s to the low-60s
• Columbus Best Time To Visit: June to September

Cleveland vs. Columbus Public Transportation

When you compare the public transportation options available, Cleveland has more types of transportation to choose from since Columbus only has two. But it’s essential to note that in a recent article, Columbus’ COTA is “Spending $10.5 million on engineering for West Broad bus rapid transit line,” according to The Columbus Dispatch, which will help to transform their public transportation.

Cleveland Public Transportation

• Cleveland Public Transportation System: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
• Types Of Transportation Available In Cleveland: Rail, Bus, Park-N-Ride, BRT, Trolley, Paratransit, and car

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See Also

Suburban Strength: Columbus’ Suburbs Are Growing Faster Than the City

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Columbus Public Transportation

• Columbus Public Transportation System: The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
• Types Of Transportation Available In Columbus: Bus and Car-sharing

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A post shared by Central Ohio Transit Authority (@cotabus)

Cleveland vs. Columbus Economy

Columbus, OH, has a lower unemployment rate and higher average salary than Cleveland, but Cleveland has more local employers than large corporations just having a section in Columbus. If you enjoy working for more locally owned or operated companies or are interested in Health Care, Cleveland is the right choice.

Cleveland Economy

• Cleveland Average Hourly Rate: $19.14
• Cleveland Average Salary: $67,000
• Cleveland Unemployment Rate: 4.5% which is slightly higher than the national average
• Cleveland Top Employers: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, the Cuyahoga County Government, and the US Office of Personnel Management

Columbus Economy

• Columbus Average Hourly Rate: $19.72
• Columbus Average Salary: $70,000
• Columbus Unemployment Rate: 3.5% which is slightly lower than the national average
• Columbus Top Employers: JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Honda, and Cardinal Health

Sport Teams

Sports are popular throughout the United States and are often one of the best pastimes. Here are some of the most popular sports teams throughout the cities of Cleveland and Columbus, OH:

• Cleveland: The Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, and the Cleveland Lumberjacks
• Columbus: Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Destroyers, Columbus Comets, and the Columbus Crew

Cleveland vs. Columbus Distance

How far is it from Cleveland to Columbus? The total distance from Cleveland to Columbus is 142 miles. Depending on the traffic, it takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes to get there, and the best route to take is I-71 S.

Cleveland vs. Columbus: Where Are You Moving?

Regardless if you choose to move to Cleveland or Columbus, OH, Summit Moving is the top-rated team of movers. Our team is hardworking, diligent, professional, trustworthy, and reliable, and always provides grade-A service. We are here to help make sure your transition is seamless. Call us at 216-641-6677 for a free estimate!