Is Columbus or Garfield Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garfield Heights is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 32/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,334 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 24% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Garfield Heights has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 31.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garfield Heights — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Garfield Heights, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Garfield Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 2,334.1 | +754.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 464.1 | -29.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 6.9 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 55.4 | +68.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 83.1 | +4.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 318.6 | -107.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 1,870.1 | +783.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 287.4 | +117.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,250.2 | +455.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 332.5 | +210.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Garfield Heights safer?
Garfield Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 2,334 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Garfield Heights has 464.1. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Garfield Heights, OH
Garfield Heights, a southern suburb of Cleveland, boasts a rich history tied to its early agricultural roots. This Cuyahoga County city is home to a diverse population, with a significant percentage of its residents identifying as Black or African American. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 28,876, Garfield Heights has a total crime rate of 2,334.1 per 100,000 residents.