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Columbia, MO vs Ferguson, MO Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Columbia crime rate · Ferguson crime rate

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Is Columbia, MO or Ferguson, MO Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Columbia, MO is safer than Ferguson, MO (Safety Score 25/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100,000 versus 4,211 for Ferguson, MO — 37% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbia has a 70% lower rate.

Note: Columbia is 7.3x 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 Columbia, MO?

Columbia — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Ferguson — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Columbia, MO

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

Ferguson, MO

Ferguson, MO
Safety Score 7/100
Coverage 17,835
Total Crime Rate 4,210.8
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Columbia Ferguson Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,666.6 4,210.8 -1,544.2
Violent Crime Rate 349.1 712.1 -363.0
Murder Rate 10.0 33.6 -23.7
Rape Rate 38.4 28.0 +10.3
Robbery Rate 39.9 123.4 -83.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 259.3 527.1 -267.8
Property Crime Rate 2,317.5 3,498.7 -1,181.2
Burglary Rate 332.9 555.1 -222.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,605.6 2,040.9 -435.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 379.0 902.7 -523.8

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

Moving from Columbia, MO to Ferguson, 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 Columbia or Ferguson safer?

Columbia, MO is safer with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100K vs 4,211 for Ferguson, MO — a 37% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while Ferguson has 712.1. Columbia has lower violent crime.

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.

About Ferguson, MO

Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, has a rich history rooted in its founding in 1894 as a railroad stop. Today, its diverse population of around 18,000 residents reflects a community with a median age in the early 30s. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 17,835, Ferguson has a total crime rate of 4,210.8 per 100,000 residents.

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