Is Ashland or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 53/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,590 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 49% 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: Columbus is 49.3x 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
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,590.1 | 3,088.3 | -1,498.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.5 | 435.0 | -262.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.2 | -12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 70.1 | 124.2 | -54.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.0 | 87.7 | -60.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 75.5 | 210.7 | -135.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,417.6 | 2,653.4 | -1,235.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 145.5 | 404.5 | -259.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.2 | 1,706.1 | -460.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.0 | 542.8 | -515.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Columbus safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 1,590 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 172.5 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. 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 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.