Cleveland, Ohio Income Statistics
Cleveland Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Cleveland Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Cleveland | Ohio Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $40,840 | $71,509 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,911 | $58,431 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.4% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.1% | 11.1% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 3.3% | 9.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cleveland is about 43% lower than in Ohio. Income has been growing faster in Cleveland (5.4%/yr) than in Ohio (4.4%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Cleveland earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Ohio average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Cleveland, Ohio grew by 46.2% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $40,840 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Cleveland
| Metric | Cleveland | Ohio Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.555 | 0.532 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $51,819 | $67,200 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $46,747 | $54,076 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.8% | 19.5% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Cleveland, it is 0.555, higher than Ohio's 0.532, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.552, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 11% more than women's income in Cleveland, Ohio. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $177,520 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cleveland, Ohio has narrowed from about 16% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 17% in 2018, and was narrowest at 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $943 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cleveland | Ohio Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.8% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.5% | 13.0% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 19,383 people are unemployed in Cleveland, Ohio.
The average commute time in Cleveland is 20 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Ohio.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cleveland, Ohio has fallen from 18.5% to 10.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 19.8% in 2013.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cleveland, Ohio has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Ohio, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cleveland, Ohio.
How Rich Is Cleveland, Ohio?
Cleveland has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $40,840, about 43% lower than the Ohio average of $71,509.
How has median household income changed in Cleveland, Ohio?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Cleveland, Ohio rose 46%, from $27,931 to $40,840. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Ohio as a whole: +46% against +51%.
What was the median household income in Cleveland in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cleveland, Ohio was $39,300, up 6% from $37,188 in 2022. The Ohio median that year was $69,792.
What was the median household income in Cleveland in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cleveland, Ohio was $31,924. By 2024 it had risen 28% to $40,840.
Is it hard to find a job in Cleveland, Ohio?
Unemployment in Cleveland, Ohio is 10.8%, well above the Ohio rate of 4.8%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cleveland, Ohio?
The Gini coefficient in Cleveland is 0.555. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Cleveland, Ohio?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cleveland, Ohio has narrowed from about 16% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 17% in 2018, and was narrowest at 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $943 since 2009.
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