City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Safety is where Raleigh and Cleveland split most clearly. Raleigh scores 199 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Cleveland are 429 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $512 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $20,927 (25%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 341 in Cleveland, up 199 points (140%).
The move
Cleveland and Raleigh are 429 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $512 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $20,927 (32%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 142 in Raleigh, down 199 points (58%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 33% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Cleveland is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $512/month back in your pocket ($6,144/year). Over five years that's $30,720 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
32% higher
Raleigh's median income is 32% higher than Cleveland
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Raleigh (about $20,927 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, Raleigh 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
58% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 58% lower than Cleveland
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 58% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
30% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 30% more comfortable than Cleveland
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh scores 30% 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 32% higher ($85,395), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 58% lower than Cleveland (142 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 33% 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Raleigh leads on safety (49/100 vs 23/100 in Cleveland). Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,060 in Cleveland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Raleigh; Cleveland only makes sense when you have walked the Cleveland ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,060 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Cleveland, plus other cities in NC and OH.
