Is Amherst or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amherst is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 65/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,239 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 60% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 70.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,238.8 | 3,088.3 | -1,849.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 238.5 | 435.0 | -196.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.2 | -12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 15.4 | 124.2 | -108.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.1 | 87.7 | -64.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 200.1 | 210.7 | -10.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,000.3 | 2,653.4 | -1,653.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 38.5 | 404.5 | -366.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 946.5 | 1,706.1 | -759.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 15.4 | 542.8 | -527.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or Columbus safer?
Amherst is safer with a total crime rate of 1,239 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 238.5 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Amherst has lower violent crime.
About Amherst, OH
Amherst, Ohio, known for its historic sandstone quarries, is a small city in Lorain County. It's largely residential, with a population around 12,000, situated west of Cleveland. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 12,996, Amherst has a total crime rate of 1,238.8 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.