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Belton, MO vs Columbia, MO Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Belton crime rate · Columbia crime rate

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Is Belton, MO or Columbia, MO Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Belton, MO is safer than Columbia, MO (Safety Score 35/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100,000 versus 2,667 for Columbia, MO — 17% lower. Belton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Belton has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Columbia is 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Belton, MO?

Belton — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Columbia — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Belton, MO

Belton, MO
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 26,058
Total Crime Rate 2,206.6
Category Wins 6/7

Columbia, MO

Columbia, MO
Safety Score 25/100
Coverage 130,354
Total Crime Rate 2,666.6
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Belton Columbia Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,206.6 2,666.6 -460.0
Violent Crime Rate 333.9 349.1 -15.2
Murder Rate 0.0 10.0 -10.0
Rape Rate 76.8 38.4 +38.4
Robbery Rate 46.1 39.9 +6.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 211.1 259.3 -48.2
Property Crime Rate 1,872.8 2,317.5 -444.8
Burglary Rate 88.3 332.9 -244.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,592.6 1,605.6 -13.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 191.9 379.0 -187.1

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Belton, MO to Columbia, MO?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Belton or Columbia safer?

Belton, MO is safer with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100K vs 2,667 for Columbia, MO — a 17% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Belton has a violent crime rate of 333.9 per 100K while Columbia has 349.1. Belton has lower violent crime.

About Belton, MO

Belton, Missouri, a city in Cass County, grew with the arrival of the Kansas City Southern Railway. It's home to roughly 24,000 residents, situated south of Kansas City. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 26,058, Belton has a total crime rate of 2,206.6 per 100,000 residents.

About Columbia, MO

Columbia, home to the University of Missouri, is a vibrant college town in central Missouri's Boone County. Its "District" area features historic buildings and local businesses, reflecting its growth as a regional hub. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 130,354, Columbia has a total crime rate of 2,666.6 per 100,000 residents.

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