Is Cleveland or Hamilton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hamilton is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 31/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,370 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 60% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hamilton has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 5.8x 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
Hamilton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Hamilton, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Hamilton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 2,370.4 | +3,617.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 313.4 | +1,247.7 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 3.2 | +26.9 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 54.1 | +86.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 43.0 | +346.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 213.2 | +787.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 2,057.0 | +2,369.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 334.1 | +526.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,530.4 | +889.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 192.5 | +954.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Hamilton safer?
Hamilton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,370 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Hamilton has 313.4. Hamilton 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 Hamilton, OH
Hamilton, Ohio, a city along the Great Miami River, was once known as the "Safe Capital of the World" due to its large safe manufacturing industry. Today, it's a diverse community with a median age of 36. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 62,860, Hamilton has a total crime rate of 2,370.4 per 100,000 residents.