Is Akron or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Columbus is safer than Akron (Safety Score 18/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 3,775 for Akron — 18% lower. Akron has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Columbus has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 4.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Akron — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Akron, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Akron | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,775.3 | 3,088.3 | +687.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 820.3 | 435.0 | +385.3 |
| Murder Rate | 12.8 | 12.2 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 113.2 | 124.2 | -11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.4 | 87.7 | -5.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 612.0 | 210.7 | +401.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,955.0 | 2,653.4 | +301.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 379.3 | 404.5 | -25.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,162.9 | 1,706.1 | +456.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 412.8 | 542.8 | -130.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Akron or Columbus safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100K vs 3,775 for Akron — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Akron has a violent crime rate of 820.3 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Akron, OH
Akron, once the "Rubber Capital of the World," sits in Northeast Ohio. This city, home to over 190,000 residents, features a diverse population and a reinvented economy. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 188,223, Akron has a total crime rate of 3,775.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 per 100,000 residents.