City comparison
Yes. Denver's crime index is 271 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 272 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Cleveland is significant: $94,718 median household versus $64,468. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Denver 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 Denver 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
Denver and Cleveland are 1,224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $771 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $30,250 (32%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 341 in Cleveland, up 70 points (26%).
The move
Cleveland and Denver are 1,224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $771 a month (73%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $94,718 in Denver, up $30,250 (47%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 271 in Denver, down 70 points (21%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 42% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,831 in Denver, so Cleveland is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $771/month back in your pocket ($9,252/year). Over five years that's $46,260 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 Denver, 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 Denver? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
47% higher
Denver's median income is 47% higher than Cleveland
Denver
Winner$94,718
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 47% higher in Denver (about $30,250 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, Denver 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
21% lower crime
Denver's crime index is 21% lower than Cleveland
Denver
Winner271 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Denver's crime index is 271 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in Denver. 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, Denver 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
39% more comfortable
Denver weather is 39% more comfortable than Cleveland
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Denver scores 39% 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
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 47% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Denver is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 21% lower than Cleveland (271 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
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 42% 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Cleveland at $1,060/month versus $1,831 in Denver ($771 apart). Denver median income is $94,718 against $64,468 in Cleveland, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Cleveland rent at $1,060/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 62°F in Denver and 53°F in Cleveland.
If housing cost drives your move, Cleveland is the stronger match ($1,060/month rent against $1,831). If an employer or family tie already points to Denver, treat $1,831/month rent and $94,718 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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