Is Cleveland or Reading Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Reading is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 33/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,285 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 62% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Reading has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 32.6x 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
Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Reading, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Reading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 2,284.6 | +3,702.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 152.9 | +1,408.2 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 9.0 | +21.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 18.0 | +122.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 18.0 | +371.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 107.9 | +893.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 2,131.7 | +2,294.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 224.9 | +635.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,726.9 | +692.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 179.9 | +966.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Reading safer?
Reading is safer with a total crime rate of 2,285 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Reading has 152.9. Reading 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 Reading, OH
Reading, Ohio, a suburb north of Cincinnati, is known for its annual SummerFest celebration. This Hamilton County community has a population of over 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 11,118, Reading has a total crime rate of 2,284.6 per 100,000 residents.