Is Cleveland or Defiance Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Defiance is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 60/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 77% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Defiance has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 21.3x 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
Defiance — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Defiance, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Defiance | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 1,396.6 | +4,590.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 217.1 | +1,344.0 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 0.0 | +30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 58.7 | +82.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 0.0 | +389.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 158.4 | +842.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,179.4 | +3,246.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 123.2 | +737.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,038.6 | +1,380.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 17.6 | +1,128.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Defiance safer?
Defiance is safer with a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Defiance has 217.1. Defiance 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 Defiance, OH
Defiance, Ohio, named for Fort Defiance built by Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, is a small city in northwest Ohio at the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers. Its population is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic community. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 17,042, Defiance has a total crime rate of 1,396.6 per 100,000 residents.