Is Bellingham or Columbia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Bellingham (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100,000 versus 4,108 for Bellingham — 3% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 78% lower rate.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Columbia, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Columbia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 4,002.5 | +105.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 769.9 | -418.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 9.7 | -7.6 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 61.6 | -40.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 108.6 | -31.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 590.1 | -340.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 3,232.6 | +524.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 496.7 | -5.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 2,356.8 | +756.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 379.1 | -226.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Columbia safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100K vs 4,108 for Bellingham — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Columbia has 769.9. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, a city of 92,000 nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to Western Washington University. Its port city history is evident in its revitalized waterfront. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 95,717, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 4,107.9 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.