Is Cleveland Heights or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland Heights is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 55/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,551 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 50% lower. Cleveland Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Cleveland Heights has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 20.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland Heights, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland Heights | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,550.6 | 3,088.3 | -1,537.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 250.8 | 435.0 | -184.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 12.2 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 38.8 | 124.2 | -85.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.9 | 87.7 | -39.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 157.3 | 210.7 | -53.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,299.8 | 2,653.4 | -1,353.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 166.5 | 404.5 | -238.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 754.8 | 1,706.1 | -951.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.5 | 542.8 | -164.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland Heights or Columbus safer?
Cleveland Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,551 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland Heights has a violent crime rate of 250.8 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Cleveland Heights has lower violent crime.
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.
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.