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Columbus vs Cleveland: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Columbus has a crime rate of 26.2 per 1,000 residents vs Cleveland's 24 per 1,000, making Cleveland 8% safer overall. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade compared to Columbus's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Columbus

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.2/1K
Percentile42%
C+

Cleveland

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate24/1K
Percentile47%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricColumbusCleveland
Overall Crime Rate26.2/1K24/1K
Violent Crime Rate482.7403.5
Property Crime Rate2136.81998.8
Murder Rate7.17.6
Assault Rate369.5255.1
Robbery Rate66.670.4
Burglary Rate327.6261.0
Theft Rate1819.11235.3
Vehicle Theft Rate497.2442.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Columbus is safer in 2 and Cleveland is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Columbus, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Cleveland.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Columbus, Ohio Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Cleveland, Ohio Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Columbus vs Cleveland

Columbus Climate Overview

Annual High62.1°F
Annual Low43.8°F
Annual Rain39.3"
Annual Snow22.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Cleveland Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low43.8°F
Annual Rain36.8"
Annual Snow41.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ColumbusClevelandHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Columbus is 3°F warmer in summer than Cleveland, but winter temperatures are comparable. Cleveland gets significantly more snow (42" vs 23").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus safer than Cleveland?
As of 2026, Cleveland is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents compared to Columbus's 26.2. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade vs Columbus's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Columbus or Cleveland?
Columbus has more violent crime at 483 per 100,000 residents. Cleveland is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Columbus vs Cleveland?
Columbus has a crime rate of 26.2 per 1,000 (violent: 483/100K, property: 2137/100K). Cleveland has 24 per 1,000 (violent: 404/100K, property: 1999/100K).
Should I move to Columbus or Cleveland?
From a safety perspective, Cleveland has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Columbus (pop. 938,396) and Cleveland (pop. 363,608) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Cleveland's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Columbus and Cleveland compare for property crime?
Cleveland has lower property crime at 1999 per 100K vs Columbus's 2137. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Columbus vs CincinnatiCleveland vs DetroitCleveland vs CincinnatiCleveland vs Cincinnati

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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