City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The cost gap between Philadelphia and Cleveland is the real story here. Cleveland comes in 24% cheaper on typical rent ($1,397 vs $1,060), which over a year adds up to $4,044. Median household income runs $61,953 in Philadelphia and $64,468 in Cleveland.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cleveland is the easier city on typical rent, but Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia and Cleveland are 358 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $337 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $64,468 in Cleveland, up $2,515 (4%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 341 in Cleveland, up 80 points (31%).
The move
Cleveland and Philadelphia are 358 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $337 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $2,515 (4%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 261 in Philadelphia, down 80 points (23%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 24% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Cleveland is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $337/month back in your pocket ($4,044/year). Over five years that's $20,220 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 Philadelphia, 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
4% higher
Cleveland's median income is 4% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Cleveland
Winner$64,468
Median household income is $64,468 in Cleveland versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Cleveland (about $2,515 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
23% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 23% lower than Cleveland
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia 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
5% more comfortable
Philadelphia weather is 5% more comfortable than Cleveland
Philadelphia
Winner54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°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. Philadelphia scores 5% 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 Philadelphia if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (54°F) beat Cleveland on this page's weather index by 5%. Cleveland may pay more or cost less, but Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than Cleveland (261 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 24% 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
Rent is the clearest fork: Cleveland at $1,060/month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia ($337 apart). Philadelphia median income is $61,953 against $64,468 in Cleveland, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (31/100 in Philadelphia vs 23/100 in Cleveland), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $64,468 in Cleveland versus $61,953 in Philadelphia.
Cleveland clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Philadelphia deserves a serious look only when your $61,953 income offer in Philadelphia outweighs saving $337/month 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 Philadelphia and Cleveland, plus other cities in PA and OH.
