Is Columbus or Lakewood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lakewood is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 63/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,283 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 58% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 18.6x 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
Lakewood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Lakewood, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 1,282.7 | +1,805.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 142.1 | +292.9 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 0.0 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 14.2 | +110.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 16.2 | +71.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 111.6 | +99.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 1,140.6 | +1,512.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 109.6 | +294.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 895.0 | +811.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 136.0 | +406.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Lakewood safer?
Lakewood is safer with a total crime rate of 1,283 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Lakewood has 142.1. Lakewood 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 Lakewood, OH
Lakewood, Ohio, a densely populated suburb west of Cleveland, is known for its historic housing stock, including many turn-of-the-century homes. Its narrow, tree-lined streets lead to Lake Erie on its northern border. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 49,272, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 1,282.7 per 100,000 residents.