Is Cleveland or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 53/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 73% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 31.1x 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
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Salem, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 1,595.1 | +4,392.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 231.5 | +1,329.5 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 0.0 | +30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 42.9 | +98.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 17.2 | +372.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 171.5 | +829.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,363.5 | +3,062.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 77.2 | +783.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,243.5 | +1,176.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 42.9 | +1,103.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Salem has 231.5. Salem 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 Salem, OH
Salem, Ohio, founded by Quakers in 1806, is a small city in northern Columbiana County. Its manufacturing heritage shaped the town, which is now home to around 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 11,661, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,595.1 per 100,000 residents.