Is Aiken or Columbia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Aiken (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100,000 versus 4,527 for Aiken — 12% lower. Aiken has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Aiken has a 45% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 4.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aiken — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aiken, SC
Columbia, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aiken | Columbia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.3 | 4,002.5 | +524.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 568.9 | 769.9 | -201.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 9.7 | +2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.2 | 61.6 | -4.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 108.6 | -48.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 439.5 | 590.1 | -150.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,958.3 | 3,232.6 | +725.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.2 | 496.7 | -156.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,404.5 | 2,356.8 | +1,047.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 213.7 | 379.1 | -165.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aiken or Columbia safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100K vs 4,527 for Aiken — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aiken has a violent crime rate of 568.9 per 100K while Columbia has 769.9. Aiken has lower violent crime.
About Aiken, SC
Aiken, South Carolina, a city in Aiken County, is known for its historic Winter Colony estates. Located in the western part of the state, it boasts a population of over 32,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 33,221, Aiken has a total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Columbia, SC
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. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 144,559, Columbia has a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents.