Is Cleveland or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cleveland is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 2/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,987 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 4% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kansas City has a 35% lower rate.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 6,224.4 | -237.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 1,547.4 | +13.7 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 27.6 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 74.7 | +66.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 254.0 | +135.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 1,191.2 | -190.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 4,677.0 | -250.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 490.4 | +370.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 2,454.9 | -35.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 1,731.8 | -585.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Kansas City safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 5,987 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.