Is Cleveland or Zanesville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Zanesville is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,174 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 47% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Zanesville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cleveland is 14.7x 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
Zanesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
Zanesville, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Zanesville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 3,173.5 | +2,813.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 333.2 | +1,227.9 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 0.0 | +30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 81.3 | +59.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 20.3 | +368.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 231.6 | +769.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 2,840.3 | +1,586.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 548.6 | +311.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 2,137.3 | +282.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 154.4 | +992.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Zanesville safer?
Zanesville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,174 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while Zanesville has 333.2. Zanesville 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 Zanesville, OH
Zanesville, the "Y-Bridge City" in southeastern Ohio, sits at the confluence of the Muskingum and Licking Rivers. This historically significant city, once Ohio's capital, has a population of around 24,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 24,610, Zanesville has a total crime rate of 3,173.5 per 100,000 residents.