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Moving to Columbia, SC?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Columbia, SC has a Safety Score of 9/100 — higher crime than 91% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,704 of 2,957 US cities and #27 of 39 in South Carolina.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Columbia, SC?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Columbia, South Carolina Safe?
Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, forming the Congaree. Home to the University of South Carolina, it's a vibrant city with a significant student population.
Columbia has a safety score of 9/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Columbia ranks #27 out of 39 cities in South Carolina and #2704 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 9th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 91% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Columbia is aggravated assault, at 590.1 per 100K — 1.8x the national average.
Year over year, Columbia's total crime rate decreased by 5.2%, with violent crime rising 1.7%.
Burglary in Columbia runs 1.7x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can see a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Columbia Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,113 | 769.9 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 14 | 9.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 89 | 61.6 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 157 | 108.6 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 853 | 590.1 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 4,673 | 3,232.6 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 718 | 496.7 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,407 | 2,356.8 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 548 | 379.1 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Columbia vs South Carolina Average
How does Columbia's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Columbia | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 501.5 | +53.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 2,708.0 | +19.4% |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 8.2 | +18.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 3,209.6 | +24.7% |
Columbia Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Columbia, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 144,559 | 4,002.5 | 769.9 | 3,232.6 |
| 2023 | 141,497 | 4,223.4 | 756.9 | 3,466.5 |
| 2022 | 137,768 | 3,457.3 | 599.6 | 2,857.7 |
| 2021 | 132,255 | 4,918.5 | 728.1 | 4,190.4 |
| 2020 | 131,777 | 5,334.8 | 760.4 | 4,574.4 |
| 2019 | 133,790 | 6,027.4 | 775.1 | 5,252.3 |
Columbia Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Columbia and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: South Carolina crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia, South Carolina safe?
Columbia has a safety score of 9/100, meaning it has less crime than about 9% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Columbia is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Columbia, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,232.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Columbia compare to the national average?
Columbia's total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 144,559 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Columbia?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Columbia are larceny-theft (3,407 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (853 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 4.2x in the city.
Is Columbia safe to visit?
Like any city, Columbia has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 9/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.
How can I protect my home in Columbia?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can check renters insurance rates online.