The Cleveland metro is home to 2,171,978 people (up 5.3% over five years), with a median household income of $68,507. Typical rent of $1,440/month works out to 25.2% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Cleveland's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 25.1% |
| Manufacturing | 14.0% |
| Professional & management | 11.0% |
| Retail trade | 10.8% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.4% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 25.2% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Cleveland market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,440/month suggests a household income around $58,000/year. The metro's median household income is $68,507.
By workforce share: Education & health care (25.1%), Manufacturing (14.0%), Professional & management (11.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).