City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Cleveland and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 250 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,060 in Cleveland and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cleveland costs less and Madison pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. 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
Cleveland and Madison are 408 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $353 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $78,050 in Madison, up $13,582 (21%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 91 in Madison, down 250 points (73%).
The move
Madison and Cleveland are 408 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $353 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $13,582 (17%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 341 in Cleveland, up 250 points (275%).
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Cleveland and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 25% cheaper than Madison
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,413 in Madison, so Cleveland is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $353/month back in your pocket ($4,236/year). Over five years that's $21,180 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Madison, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Cleveland is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Madison's median income is 21% higher than Cleveland
Cleveland
$64,468
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Madison (about $13,582 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Madison is the stronger labor market on paper. Cleveland can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
73% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 73% lower than Cleveland
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 73% lower in Madison. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Madison is the easier city. Cleveland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
27% more comfortable
Cleveland weather is 27% more comfortable than Madison
Cleveland
Winner53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs); Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs). Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 48°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cleveland scores 27% 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 Madison 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
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 25% 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.
Pick Cleveland if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (53°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 27%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Cleveland is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 73% lower than Cleveland (91 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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Madison leads on safety (63/100 vs 23/100 in Cleveland). Typical rent is $1,413 in Madison and $1,060 in Cleveland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Madison still pays more locally ($78,050 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Madison rates.
Median income is $78,050 in Madison versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
Madison is ahead on safety (63/100 vs 23/100); Cleveland is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,060/month rent plus $64,468 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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