Is Cleveland or Kettering Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kettering is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 55/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,543 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 74% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kettering has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 6.4x 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
Kettering — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Kettering, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Kettering | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 1,543.4 | +4,444.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 42.4 | +1,518.7 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 0.0 | +30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 17.7 | +123.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 12.4 | +376.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 12.4 | +988.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,501.0 | +2,925.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 155.6 | +704.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,196.9 | +1,222.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 148.5 | +998.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Kettering safer?
Kettering is safer with a total crime rate of 1,543 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Kettering has 42.4. Kettering 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 Kettering, OH
Kettering, a Dayton suburb, is home to the Fraze Pavilion outdoor amphitheater. This affluent city in Montgomery County has a population of over 57,000. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 56,562, Kettering has a total crime rate of 1,543.4 per 100,000 residents.