Is Chicago or Cleveland Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland Heights is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 55/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,551 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 61% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cleveland Heights has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 60.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Cleveland Heights, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Cleveland Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,550.6 | +2,461.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 250.8 | +289.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.8 | +10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 38.8 | +20.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 47.9 | +287.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 157.3 | -29.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,299.8 | +2,172.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 166.5 | +128.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 754.8 | +1,564.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 378.5 | +480.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Cleveland Heights safer?
Cleveland Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,551 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Cleveland Heights has 250.8. Cleveland Heights has lower violent crime.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Cleveland Heights, OH
Cleveland Heights, a first-ring suburb east of Cleveland, boasts diverse housing stock and a vibrant arts scene, including the storied Cain Park. Over 46,000 residents call this hilly, tree-lined community home. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 43,853, Cleveland Heights has a total crime rate of 1,550.6 per 100,000 residents.