City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,372 in Richmond.
Safety is where Cleveland and Richmond split most clearly. Richmond scores 172 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 $1,372 in Richmond.
Richmond is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Richmond is the stronger move.
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 Richmond are 354 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,372 a month in Richmond, up $312 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $64,587 in Richmond, up $119 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 169 in Richmond, down 172 points (50%).
The move
Richmond and Cleveland are 354 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $312 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $119 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 341 in Cleveland, up 172 points (102%).
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Cleveland and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 23% cheaper than Richmond
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Richmond
$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,372 in Richmond, so Cleveland is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $312/month back in your pocket ($3,744/year). Over five years that's $18,720 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Richmond's median income is 1% higher than Cleveland
Cleveland
$64,468
Richmond
Winner$64,587
Median household income is $64,587 in Richmond versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Richmond (about $119 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
50% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 50% lower than Cleveland
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% lower in Richmond. 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, Richmond 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
18% more comfortable
Richmond weather is 18% more comfortable than Cleveland
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Richmond
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond scores 18% 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 1% higher ($64,587), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 57°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Richmond is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 50% lower than Cleveland (169 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 Richmond leads on safety (44/100 vs 23/100 in Cleveland). Typical rent is $1,372 in Richmond and $1,060 in Cleveland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Richmond still pays more locally ($64,587 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Richmond rates.
Weather averages land near 53°F in Cleveland and 57°F in Richmond.
Between Cleveland and Richmond, Richmond is ahead on safety — 44/100 safety versus 23/100. Lean Cleveland instead when you already know the Cleveland block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Richmond when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Cleveland and Richmond, plus other cities in OH and VA.
