Is Chicago or Columbia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 24% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 53.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Columbia, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Columbia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,060.3 | +951.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 573.2 | -33.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 12.2 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 52.7 | +6.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 32.4 | +302.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 476.0 | -347.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,487.1 | +985.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 923.6 | -628.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,403.6 | +915.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 160.0 | +698.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Columbia safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Columbia has 573.2. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Columbia, TN
Columbia, the "Dimple of the Universe," is a historic Southern city known for its Antebellum architecture and as the birthplace of James K. Polk. Situated on the Duck River in Maury County, it's a growing community of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 49,374, Columbia has a total crime rate of 3,060.3 per 100,000 residents.