Is Canton or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Canton (Safety Score 18/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 4,576 for Canton — 33% lower. Canton has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Canton has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 13.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Canton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Canton, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Canton | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,576.2 | 3,088.3 | +1,487.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,121.9 | 435.0 | +686.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 12.2 | -9.3 |
| Rape Rate | 132.4 | 124.2 | +8.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 115.0 | 87.7 | +27.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 871.6 | 210.7 | +660.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,454.4 | 2,653.4 | +801.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 777.0 | 404.5 | +372.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,459.1 | 1,706.1 | +753.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.3 | 542.8 | -324.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canton or Columbus safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100K vs 4,576 for Canton — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Canton has a violent crime rate of 1,121.9 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Canton, OH
Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the NFL, is a city in Stark County with a population of around 70,000. It sits in northeastern Ohio, characterized by a mix of historic neighborhoods and industrial areas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 68,725, Canton has a total crime rate of 4,576.2 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.