Is Cleveland or Dayton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Dayton is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 2/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,673 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 5% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dayton has a 35% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 2.7x 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 Cleveland, OH?
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dayton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Dayton, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Dayton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 5,673.4 | +314.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 1,339.2 | +221.9 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 29.7 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 116.4 | +24.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 252.9 | +136.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 940.3 | +60.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 4,334.2 | +92.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 859.4 | +0.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 2,144.5 | +275.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 1,330.3 | -183.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Dayton safer?
Dayton is safer with a total crime rate of 5,673 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Dayton has 1,339.2. Dayton 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 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.