Best Hospitals in Cleveland (2026)
Cleveland is one of America's great healthcare cities. Home to the Cleveland Clinic — consistently ranked among the world's best hospitals — and University Hospitals, the city punches far above its...
Cleveland is one of America's great healthcare cities. Home to the Cleveland Clinic — consistently ranked among the world's best hospitals — and University Hospitals, the city punches far above its weight. With four 5-star hospitals and a strong 4-star tier, Cleveland offers some of the best hospital care in the Midwest.
This guide ranks Cleveland-area hospitals by CMS star ratings, cost-to-charge ratios, and price transparency — helping you find the right combination of quality and value.
Top 5 Hospitals in Cleveland
| Hospital | CMS Rating | Cost-to-Charge | Priced Procedures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | 207 |
| Cleveland Heights Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.28 | 151 |
| UH Cleveland Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | 120 |
| Parma Community General Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.23 | 29 |
| MetroHealth System Main Campus | ⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | N/A |
Understanding the Rankings
CMS Star Ratings
Cleveland boasts four 5-star hospitals: Fairview Hospital (Cleveland Clinic system), Cleveland Heights Medical Center, UH Cleveland Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. Parma Community General Hospital earns 4 stars. MetroHealth System — the county's safety-net hospital — and Lutheran Hospital earn 3 stars.
Cost-to-Charge Ratio
Cleveland's hospitals have relatively moderate markups compared to many major metros. Parma Community General leads with a 0.23 ratio (about 4x markup). Cleveland Heights Medical Center at 0.28 ratio (about 4x markup) is excellent for a 5-star facility. The nonprofit dominance of both Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals helps keep markups competitive in Ohio's regulated environment.
Price Transparency
Fairview Hospital leads with 207 priced procedures. Cleveland Heights Medical Center publishes 151 procedures. UH Cleveland Medical Center publishes 120. Both major systems show reasonable transparency, though some facilities lag behind.
Best Value Hospitals in Cleveland
- Best overall: Fairview Hospital — 5-star, 207 priced procedures, Cleveland Clinic's community gem
- Best value 5-star: Cleveland Heights Medical Center — 5-star with 0.28 ratio and 151 published prices
- Best academic: UH Cleveland Medical Center — 5-star, 120 priced procedures, University Hospitals' flagship
- Best 4-star value: Parma Community General — 4-star with the lowest ratio (0.23) and 29 published prices
- Best safety-net: MetroHealth System — 3-star, Cuyahoga County's public hospital system
Price Comparison: Common Procedures in Cleveland
- Lab work (CBC, metabolic panel): $15–$200 depending on facility
- CT scans: $250–$3,000 in the Cleveland metro
- MRI: $350–$3,500+ — freestanding imaging centers offer significant savings
- ER visits: Facility fees from $600 at community hospitals to $2,000+ at academic centers
Compare real prices using Taven's price comparison tool.
Cleveland Hospital System Overview
- Cleveland Clinic — One of the world's most famous hospital systems. Founded in 1921, ranked #2 nationally by U.S. News. Fairview Hospital (5-star) is its top-rated community hospital. The main campus on Euclid Avenue is a global destination for cardiac surgery, urology, and dozens of specialties. Multiple community hospitals across Northeast Ohio.
- University Hospitals — Major academic system anchored by UH Cleveland Medical Center (5-star) and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (#1 in Ohio for pediatrics). Cleveland Heights Medical Center (5-star) is a strong community option. Strong in cancer care through the Seidman Cancer Center.
- MetroHealth System — Cuyahoga County's public hospital system and Level I trauma center. 3-star rating. Serves as Cleveland's safety-net hospital with a new state-of-the-art main campus. Essential for uninsured and Medicaid patients.
- Parma Community General Hospital — UH system community hospital. 4-star with the best cost-to-charge ratio (0.23) in the metro. Strong for routine care in Cleveland's south suburbs.
Cleveland's Healthcare Advantage
Cleveland's hospital market benefits from fierce competition between two world-class nonprofit systems. Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals drive each other toward excellence — the city has more 5-star hospitals than most metros twice its size. Ohio's Certificate of Need laws and strong nonprofit hospital tradition keep markups lower than many states. The result: world-class care at more moderate prices than coastal metros.
Tips for Choosing a Hospital in Cleveland
- Cleveland Clinic and UH are both excellent. Both have 5-star facilities. Choose based on location, specialty need, and insurance network.
- Fairview Hospital is the standout for value. 5-star quality with 207 priced procedures — Cleveland Clinic quality at a community hospital.
- Check both systems' prices for elective procedures. Competition between Cleveland Clinic and UH can work in your favor.
- Compare prices before scheduled procedures. Use Taven's comparison tool with real Cleveland data.
- Ohio has moderate patient protections. The federal No Surprises Act applies. Ohio law requires hospitals to provide estimates on request.
- Ask about charity care — Both Cleveland Clinic and UH have substantial financial assistance programs.
- Get a Good Faith Estimate before any planned procedure.
- Review your bill. Use our free bill review tool to catch errors and overcharges.
How We Rank Hospitals
Our rankings use CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, cost-to-charge ratios from CMS cost reports, and price transparency compliance data. We don't accept advertising from hospitals. Learn more about our methodology.