Is Cleveland or Lakewood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lakewood is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 63/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,283 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 79% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 7.4x 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
Lakewood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Lakewood, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 1,282.7 | +4,704.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 142.1 | +1,419.0 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 0.0 | +30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 14.2 | +126.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 16.2 | +373.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 111.6 | +889.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,140.6 | +3,285.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 109.6 | +750.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 895.0 | +1,524.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 136.0 | +1,010.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Lakewood safer?
Lakewood is safer with a total crime rate of 1,283 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Lakewood has 142.1. Lakewood 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 Lakewood, OH
Lakewood, Ohio, a densely populated suburb west of Cleveland, is known for its historic housing stock, including many turn-of-the-century homes. Its narrow, tree-lined streets lead to Lake Erie on its northern border. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 49,272, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 1,282.7 per 100,000 residents.