CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Detroit vs Cleveland: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Detroit has a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 residents vs Cleveland's 24 per 1,000, making Cleveland 56% safer overall. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade compared to Detroit's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Detroit

Michigan

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate55/1K
Percentile2%
C+

Cleveland

Ohio

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricDetroitCleveland
Overall Crime Rate55/1K24/1K
Violent Crime Rate1900.0403.5
Property Crime Rate3600.01998.8
Murder Rate26.37.6
Assault Rate1355.2255.1
Robbery Rate316.470.4
Burglary Rate534.9261.0
Theft Rate2903.91235.3
Vehicle Theft Rate387.8442.8

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, Detroit is safer in 1 and Cleveland is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Detroit, you have a 1 in 18 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Cleveland.

Full Safety Reports

F
Detroit, Michigan Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Cleveland, Ohio Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Detroit vs Cleveland

Detroit Climate Overview

Annual High59.1°F
Annual Low41.4°F
Annual Rain33.7"
Annual Snow40.8"
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

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

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Detroit is 3°F colder in winter than Cleveland. Cleveland gets significantly more snow (42" vs 41").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Detroit safer than Cleveland?
As of 2026, Cleveland is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents compared to Detroit's 55. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade vs Detroit's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Detroit or Cleveland?
Detroit has more violent crime at 1900 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 Detroit vs Cleveland?
Detroit has a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 3600/100K). Cleveland has 24 per 1,000 (violent: 404/100K, property: 1999/100K).
Should I move to Detroit or Cleveland?
From a safety perspective, Cleveland has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Detroit (pop. 649,095) 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 Detroit and Cleveland compare for property crime?
Cleveland has lower property crime at 1999 per 100K vs Detroit's 3600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Detroit vs ChicagoDetroit vs St. LouisDetroit vs MemphisCleveland vs ColumbusCleveland 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities