Is Cleveland or Garfield Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garfield Heights is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 32/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,334 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 61% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Garfield Heights has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 12.6x 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
Garfield Heights — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Garfield Heights, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Garfield Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 2,334.1 | +3,653.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 464.1 | +1,097.0 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 6.9 | +23.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 55.4 | +85.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 83.1 | +306.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 318.6 | +682.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,870.1 | +2,556.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 287.4 | +572.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,250.2 | +1,169.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 332.5 | +814.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Garfield Heights safer?
Garfield Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 2,334 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Garfield Heights has 464.1. Garfield Heights 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 Garfield Heights, OH
Garfield Heights, a southern suburb of Cleveland, boasts a rich history tied to its early agricultural roots. This Cuyahoga County city is home to a diverse population, with a significant percentage of its residents identifying as Black or African American. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 28,876, Garfield Heights has a total crime rate of 2,334.1 per 100,000 residents.