Is Cleveland or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 18/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 48% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 2.5x 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
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 3,088.3 | +2,899.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 435.0 | +1,126.1 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 12.2 | +17.8 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 124.2 | +16.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 87.7 | +301.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 210.7 | +790.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 2,653.4 | +1,773.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 404.5 | +455.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,706.1 | +713.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 542.8 | +603.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Columbus safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Its diverse population reflects a blend of historic European immigrant communities and growing newer populations. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 362,762, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 5,987.4 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.