City comparison
Yes. Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,120 in Louisville.
Safety is where Louisville and Cleveland split most clearly. Louisville scores 132 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,120 in Louisville and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Louisville 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 Louisville is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Louisville has rougher pockets and Cleveland has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Louisville and Cleveland are 311 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $60 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $2,381 (4%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 341 in Cleveland, up 132 points (63%).
The move
Cleveland and Louisville are 311 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,120 a month in Louisville, up $60 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $66,849 in Louisville, up $2,381 (4%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 209 in Louisville, down 132 points (39%).
Louisville, KY
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 Louisville and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 5% cheaper than Louisville
Louisville
$1,120/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,120 in Louisville, so Cleveland is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $60, or $720 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Louisville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Louisville's median income is 4% higher than Cleveland
Louisville
Winner$66,849
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $66,849 in Louisville versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Louisville (about $2,381 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
39% lower crime
Louisville's crime index is 39% lower than Cleveland
Louisville
Winner209 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% lower in Louisville. 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, Louisville 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
14% more comfortable
Louisville weather is 14% more comfortable than Cleveland
Louisville
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Louisville averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Louisville averages around 56°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. Louisville scores 14% 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 4% higher ($66,849), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Louisville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 39% lower than Cleveland (209 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 5% 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Louisville: Louisville scores 38/100 versus 23/100 in Cleveland, with typical rent at $1,120 versus $1,060. I would vet the exact ZIP in Cleveland before trading 15 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (38/100 in Louisville vs 23/100 in Cleveland), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $66,849 in Louisville versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
Louisville clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Cleveland deserves a serious look only 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
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Nearby research
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