Is Ashland or Cleveland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 53/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,590 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 73% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 19.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Cleveland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,590.1 | 5,987.4 | -4,397.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.5 | 1,561.1 | -1,388.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 30.1 | -30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 70.1 | 140.9 | -70.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.0 | 389.2 | -362.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 75.5 | 1,000.9 | -925.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,417.6 | 4,426.3 | -3,008.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 145.5 | 860.3 | -714.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.2 | 2,419.5 | -1,174.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.0 | 1,146.5 | -1,119.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Cleveland safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 1,590 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 172.5 per 100K while Cleveland has 1,561.1. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, OH
Ashland, Ohio, home to Ashland University, is a city in north-central Ohio. Situated on the Great Lakes Plain, it has a population of around 20,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 18,552, Ashland has a total crime rate of 1,590.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Its diverse population reflects a blend of historic European immigrant communities and growing newer populations. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 362,762, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 5,987.4 per 100,000 residents.