Is Cincinnati or Dayton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cincinnati is safer than Dayton (Safety Score 5/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,678 per 100,000 versus 5,673 for Dayton — 18% lower. Cincinnati has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Cincinnati has a 37% lower rate.
Note: Cincinnati is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Cincinnati, OH?
Cincinnati — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dayton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cincinnati, OH
Dayton, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cincinnati | Dayton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,677.8 | 5,673.4 | -995.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 848.5 | 1,339.2 | -490.7 |
| Murder Rate | 21.8 | 29.7 | -7.8 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 116.4 | -59.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 231.7 | 252.9 | -21.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 535.0 | 940.3 | -405.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,829.3 | 4,334.2 | -504.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 548.5 | 859.4 | -311.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,395.1 | 2,144.5 | +250.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 885.8 | 1,330.3 | -444.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cincinnati or Dayton safer?
Cincinnati is safer with a total crime rate of 4,678 per 100K vs 5,673 for Dayton — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cincinnati has a violent crime rate of 848.5 per 100K while Dayton has 1,339.2. Cincinnati has lower violent crime.
About Cincinnati, OH
Nestled along the Ohio River, Cincinnati is a city of historic architecture, including the iconic Music Hall. Its diverse population reflects a blend of Midwestern industriousness and Southern charm. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 311,599, Cincinnati has a total crime rate of 4,677.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Dayton, OH
Dayton, birthplace of aviation, is a mid-sized city in southwest Ohio. Nestled in the Miami Valley, its population is diverse, with a notable manufacturing legacy. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 134,857, Dayton has a total crime rate of 5,673.4 per 100,000 residents.