Is Cleveland or Kent Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Kent is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 60/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,399 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 Kent has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 13.2x 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
Kent — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Kent, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Kent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 1,398.8 | +4,588.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 127.2 | +1,433.9 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 0.0 | +30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 0.0 | +140.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 18.2 | +371.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 109.0 | +891.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,271.6 | +3,154.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 138.1 | +722.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,031.8 | +1,387.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 101.7 | +1,044.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Kent safer?
Kent is safer with a total crime rate of 1,399 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 Kent has 127.2. Kent 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 Kent, OH
Kent, Ohio, home to Kent State University, sits along the Cuyahoga River in Portage County. This vibrant college town in Northeast Ohio has a population of around 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 27,524, Kent has a total crime rate of 1,398.8 per 100,000 residents.