Is Columbus or Toledo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Toledo (Safety Score 18/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 3,773 for Toledo — 18% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Columbus has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 3.5x 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
Toledo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Toledo, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Toledo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 3,773.3 | -685.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 1,041.1 | -606.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 12.1 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 98.6 | +25.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 107.3 | -19.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 823.0 | -612.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 2,732.2 | -78.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 483.2 | -78.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,844.4 | -138.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 404.7 | +138.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Toledo safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100K vs 3,773 for Toledo — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Toledo has 1,041.1. 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 Toledo, OH
Toledo, a city on the Maumee River near Lake Erie, was once a major glass production hub, earning it the nickname "Glass City." Its population is diverse, with a notable Hispanic community. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 263,668, Toledo has a total crime rate of 3,773.3 per 100,000 residents.