Is Cleveland or Lima Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lima is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,130 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 31% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lima has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 10.5x 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
Lima — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Lima, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Lima | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 4,130.0 | +1,857.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 761.2 | +799.9 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 17.4 | +12.7 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 133.1 | +7.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 78.1 | +311.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 529.6 | +471.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 3,368.8 | +1,057.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 671.5 | +188.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 2,454.3 | -34.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 243.1 | +903.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Lima safer?
Lima is safer with a total crime rate of 4,130 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Lima has 761.2. Lima 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 Lima, OH
Lima, Ohio, a city in Allen County, was once a major railroad hub. Situated along the Ottawa River, its population is around 35,000. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 34,552, Lima has a total crime rate of 4,130.0 per 100,000 residents.