Is Columbus or Kent Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Kent is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 60/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,399 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 55% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kent has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 33.3x 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
Kent — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Kent, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Kent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 1,398.8 | +1,689.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 127.2 | +307.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 0.0 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 0.0 | +124.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 18.2 | +69.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 109.0 | +101.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 1,271.6 | +1,381.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 138.1 | +266.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,031.8 | +674.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 101.7 | +441.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Kent safer?
Kent is safer with a total crime rate of 1,399 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Kent has 127.2. Kent 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 Kent, OH
Kent, Ohio, home to Kent State University, sits along the Cuyahoga River in Portage County. This vibrant college town in Northeast Ohio has a population of around 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 27,524, Kent has a total crime rate of 1,398.8 per 100,000 residents.