Is Cleveland or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Portsmouth is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 5/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,572 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 24% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portsmouth has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 20.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Cleveland, OH?
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portsmouth — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Portsmouth, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 4,572.5 | +1,415.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 715.0 | +846.1 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 17.3 | +12.8 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 86.5 | +54.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 51.9 | +337.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 559.3 | +441.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 3,857.5 | +568.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 680.4 | +180.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 2,934.9 | -515.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 242.2 | +904.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Portsmouth safer?
Portsmouth is safer with a total crime rate of 4,572 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Portsmouth has 715.0. Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, OH
Portsmouth, Ohio, at the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto Rivers, was once a bustling canal town. Its historic murals depict a rich past, though today it faces economic challenges common to many Rust Belt communities. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 17,343, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 4,572.5 per 100,000 residents.