Is Chicago or East Cleveland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than East Cleveland (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,409 for East Cleveland — 9% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Chicago has a 62% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 197.9x 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
East Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
East Cleveland, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | East Cleveland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,409.1 | -396.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,409.7 | -869.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 37.5 | -20.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 90.0 | -31.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 247.5 | +87.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 1,034.8 | -906.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,999.4 | +473.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 554.9 | -260.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,499.7 | +819.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 944.8 | -85.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or East Cleveland safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,409 for East Cleveland — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while East Cleveland has 1,409.7. Chicago 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 East Cleveland, OH
East Cleveland, once home to Nela Park, the world's first industrial research park, is an inner-ring suburb. It is geographically small, covering only 2.6 square miles, and has experienced significant population decline since the mid-20th century. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 13,336, East Cleveland has a total crime rate of 4,409.1 per 100,000 residents.