Is Bellevue or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Bellevue (Safety Score 74/100 vs 65/100), with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100,000 versus 1,231 for Bellevue — 18% lower. Bellevue has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Bellevue is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellevue — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellevue, NE
Columbus, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellevue | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,231.3 | 1,012.4 | +218.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.2 | 85.4 | +13.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 72.4 | 44.7 | +27.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.0 | 4.1 | +7.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.8 | 36.6 | -20.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,132.1 | 927.0 | +205.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 97.6 | 93.5 | +4.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 910.1 | 768.5 | +141.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 124.4 | 65.1 | +59.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellevue or Columbus safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100K vs 1,231 for Bellevue — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellevue has a violent crime rate of 99.2 per 100K while Columbus has 85.4. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Bellevue, NE
Bellevue, Nebraska, the state's oldest city, borders the Missouri River just south of Omaha. It's home to Offutt Air Force Base, a major employer and a hub for military intelligence. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 63,510, Bellevue has a total crime rate of 1,231.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Columbus, NE
Columbus, Nebraska, a city named after Christopher Columbus, sits on the Loup and Platte Rivers. It is the county seat of Platte County and has a population of over 24,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 24,595, Columbus has a total crime rate of 1,012.4 per 100,000 residents.