Is Cleveland or Hattiesburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland is safer than Hattiesburg (Safety Score 16/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,227 per 100,000 versus 3,687 for Hattiesburg — 12% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Hattiesburg has a 42% lower rate.
Note: Hattiesburg is 4.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, MS
Hattiesburg, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Hattiesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,226.8 | 3,686.8 | -460.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 383.7 | 221.5 | +162.2 |
| Murder Rate | 19.7 | 12.4 | +7.3 |
| Rape Rate | 19.7 | 39.3 | -19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.4 | 33.1 | +6.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 305.0 | 136.6 | +168.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,843.1 | 3,465.3 | -622.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 186.9 | 370.6 | -183.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,390.6 | 2,873.3 | -482.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 265.6 | 221.5 | +44.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Hattiesburg safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 3,227 per 100K vs 3,687 for Hattiesburg — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 383.7 per 100K while Hattiesburg has 221.5. Hattiesburg has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, MS
Cleveland, Mississippi, a Delta city bisected by Highway 61, is home to Delta State University. Its downtown hosts the Grammy Museum Mississippi, celebrating the region's blues heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 10,165, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 3,226.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 per 100,000 residents.