Is Ashtabula or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashtabula is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 70/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,106 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 64% lower. Ashtabula has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashtabula has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 51.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashtabula — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashtabula, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashtabula | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,105.9 | 3,088.3 | -1,982.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 186.2 | 435.0 | -248.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.2 | -12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 39.5 | 124.2 | -84.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.1 | 87.7 | -25.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 84.6 | 210.7 | -126.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 919.7 | 2,653.4 | -1,733.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 220.1 | 404.5 | -184.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 615.0 | 1,706.1 | -1,091.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.6 | 542.8 | -458.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashtabula or Columbus safer?
Ashtabula is safer with a total crime rate of 1,106 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashtabula has a violent crime rate of 186.2 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Ashtabula has lower violent crime.
About Ashtabula, OH
Ashtabula, a port city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich maritime history, including its role on the Underground Railroad. This small city in northeast Ohio has seen a decline in population since its industrial peak. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 17,723, Ashtabula has a total crime rate of 1,105.9 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.