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Clayton, MO vs Columbia, MO Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Clayton crime rate · Columbia crime rate

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Is Clayton, MO or Columbia, MO Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Clayton, MO is safer than Columbia, MO (Safety Score 79/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 897 per 100,000 versus 2,667 for Columbia, MO — 66% lower. Clayton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Columbia is 7.4x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Clayton, MO?

Clayton — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Columbia — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Clayton, MO

Clayton, MO
Safety Score 79/100
Coverage 17,501
Total Crime Rate 897.1
Category Wins 7/7

Columbia, MO

Columbia, MO
Safety Score 25/100
Coverage 130,354
Total Crime Rate 2,666.6
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Clayton Columbia Difference
Total Crime Rate 897.1 2,666.6 -1,769.5
Violent Crime Rate 102.9 349.1 -246.2
Murder Rate 0.0 10.0 -10.0
Rape Rate 11.4 38.4 -26.9
Robbery Rate 22.9 39.9 -17.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 68.6 259.3 -190.7
Property Crime Rate 794.2 2,317.5 -1,523.3
Burglary Rate 102.9 332.9 -230.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 542.8 1,605.6 -1,062.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 148.6 379.0 -230.4

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

Moving from Clayton, 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 Clayton or Columbia safer?

Clayton, MO is safer with a total crime rate of 897 per 100K vs 2,667 for Columbia, MO — a 66% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Clayton has a violent crime rate of 102.9 per 100K while Columbia has 349.1. Clayton has lower violent crime.

About Clayton, MO

Clayton, Missouri, the seat of St. Louis County, is an affluent suburb known for its business district and upscale boutiques. It is home to Washington University School of Law and consistently ranks among the most educated cities in the U.S. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 17,501, Clayton has a total crime rate of 897.1 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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