City comparison
Yes. Baltimore's crime index is 338 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 428 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,331 in Baltimore.
Baltimore and Cleveland are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,060 in Cleveland, and median household income lands at $62,177 versus $64,468. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cleveland is the easier city on typical rent, but Baltimore can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cleveland at $1,060 average has pockets that run $860 and others at $1,460: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Baltimore and Cleveland are 308 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $271 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $64,468 in Cleveland, up $2,291 (4%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 341 in Cleveland, up 3 points (1%).
The move
Cleveland and Baltimore are 308 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, up $271 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $62,177 in Baltimore, down $2,291 (4%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 338 in Baltimore, down 3 points (1%).
Baltimore, MD
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Baltimore and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 20% cheaper than Baltimore
Baltimore
$1,331/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,331 in Baltimore, so Cleveland is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,252, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Cleveland still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Baltimore.
Planning to buy in Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Cleveland's median income is 4% higher than Baltimore
Baltimore
$62,177
Cleveland
Winner$64,468
Median household income is $64,468 in Cleveland versus $62,177 in Baltimore, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Cleveland (about $2,291 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
1% lower crime
Baltimore's crime index is 1% lower than Cleveland
Baltimore
Winner338 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Baltimore's crime index is 338 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Baltimore. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Baltimore, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Cleveland. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Baltimore weather is 9% more comfortable than Cleveland
Baltimore
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Baltimore scores 9% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Cleveland if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Baltimore if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat Cleveland on this page's weather index by 9%. Cleveland may pay more or cost less, but Baltimore is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Baltimore is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 1% lower than Cleveland (338 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Cleveland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($64,468). Start with Cleveland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,060/month in Cleveland versus $1,331 in Baltimore. Median income reads $64,468 in Cleveland and $62,177 in Baltimore, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Median income is $64,468 in Cleveland versus $62,177 in Baltimore.
Pick Cleveland when shaving $271 off rent at $1,060/month is the priority. Otherwise, Baltimore's case rests on $1,331/month rent with $62,177 local income.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Baltimore and 53°F in Cleveland.
Common questions
Ready to move to Cleveland?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Cleveland when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Baltimore and Cleveland, plus other cities in MD and OH.
