Is Beaufort or Columbia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Beaufort (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100,000 versus 4,276 for Beaufort — 6% lower. Beaufort has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beaufort has a 26% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 10.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beaufort — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaufort, SC
Columbia, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaufort | Columbia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,276.4 | 4,002.5 | +273.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.2 | 769.9 | -66.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 9.7 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 50.2 | 61.6 | -11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 107.6 | 108.6 | -1.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 531.0 | 590.1 | -59.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,573.2 | 3,232.6 | +340.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 322.9 | 496.7 | -173.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,078.1 | 2,356.8 | +721.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.2 | 379.1 | -206.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort or Columbia safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100K vs 4,276 for Beaufort — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 703.2 per 100K while Columbia has 769.9. Beaufort has lower violent crime.
About Beaufort, SC
Beaufort, South Carolina, a historic coastal city founded in 1711, is the second-oldest city in the state. Situated on Port Royal Island, it's home to a diverse population of roughly 13,000 residents. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 13,937, Beaufort has a total crime rate of 4,276.4 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.