Is Philadelphia cheaper than Cleveland?

No. Cleveland is cheaper: typical rent is $1,279 a month versus $1,810 in Philadelphia — 29% lower. Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $37,271 in Cleveland, so Philadelphia has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Cleveland?

Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 75 versus 86 in Cleveland — 13% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Philadelphia or Cleveland?

School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Cleveland. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Philadelphia, PA vs Cleveland, OH

Philadelphia, PA versus Cleveland, OH is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,810 a month in Philadelphia and $1,279 in Cleveland, and median household income lands at $57,537 versus $37,271. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Philadelphia takes job market and safety, while Cleveland takes affordability and weather. The widest gap is median income, where Philadelphia leads by 54% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Philadelphia can feel further apart than Philadelphia and Cleveland do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Philadelphia and Cleveland reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Philadelphia report Full Cleveland report

Philadelphia, PA

Rent: $1,810/mo
Median income: $57,537
Crime index: 75
Schools: A-
Weather: 75°F

Cleveland, OH

Rent: $1,279/mo
Median income: $37,271
Crime index: 86
Schools: A-
Weather: 69°F

Rent

29% cheaper

Cleveland rent is 29% cheaper than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$1,810/mo

Cleveland

Winner

$1,279/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,279 a month in Cleveland versus $1,810 in Philadelphia, so Cleveland is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $531/month back in your pocket — $6,372/year. Over five years that's $31,860 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.

Median income

54% higher

Philadelphia's median income is 54% higher than Cleveland

Philadelphia

Winner

$57,537

Cleveland

$37,271

What this means for your life

Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia versus $37,271 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 54% higher in Philadelphia — about $20,266 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, Philadelphia 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

13% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 13% lower than Cleveland

Philadelphia

Winner

75 (100 = avg)

Cleveland

86 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 75 versus 86 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Cleveland. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Philadelphia and Cleveland are about even on school scores.

Philadelphia

A- · 84/100

Cleveland

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Philadelphia, A- in Cleveland). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

11% more comfortable

Cleveland weather is 11% more comfortable than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

75°F typical

Cleveland

Winner

69°F typical

What this means for your life

Cleveland scores 11% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 75°F in Philadelphia and 69°F in Cleveland. Philadelphia reads as warm weather most of the year; Cleveland reads as mild, livable temperatures. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Philadelphia's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Cleveland is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Philadelphia

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Philadelphia is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 54% higher here ($57,537). Start with Philadelphia if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Cleveland (75 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.

Open the Philadelphia report →

Fit check

Who should choose Cleveland

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,279 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Cleveland if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (69°F) beat Philadelphia on this page's weather index by 11%. Philadelphia may pay more or cost less, but Cleveland is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Open the Cleveland report →

Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Cleveland, called

If the job market is your priority, Philadelphia is the clear choice.

If cost of living matters more to you, Cleveland pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Cleveland offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Philadelphia vs Cleveland FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Cleveland?: No. Cleveland is cheaper: typical rent is $1,279 a month versus $1,810 in Philadelphia — 29% lower. Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $37,271 in Cleveland, so Philadelphia has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Cleveland?: Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 75 versus 86 in Cleveland — 13% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Philadelphia or Cleveland?: School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Cleveland. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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