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Columbia, MO vs Jefferson City, MO Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Columbia crime rate · Jefferson City crime rate

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Is Columbia, MO or Jefferson City, MO Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Jefferson City, MO is safer than Columbia, MO (Safety Score 31/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100,000 versus 2,667 for Columbia, MO — 11% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Columbia is 3.1x 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 Columbia, MO?

Columbia — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Jefferson City — 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 1/7

Jefferson City, MO

Jefferson City, MO
Safety Score 31/100
Coverage 42,561
Total Crime Rate 2,373.1
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Columbia Jefferson City Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,666.6 2,373.1 +293.5
Violent Crime Rate 349.1 333.6 +15.4
Murder Rate 10.0 0.0 +10.0
Rape Rate 38.4 94.0 -55.6
Robbery Rate 39.9 30.5 +9.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 259.3 209.1 +50.2
Property Crime Rate 2,317.5 2,039.4 +278.1
Burglary Rate 332.9 141.0 +192.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,605.6 1,788.0 -182.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 379.0 110.4 +268.5

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

Moving from Columbia, MO to Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City safer?

Jefferson City, MO is safer with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100K vs 2,667 for Columbia, MO — a 11% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while Jefferson City has 333.6. Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City, MO

Nestled on the Missouri River bluffs, Jefferson City is Missouri's state capital, home to the imposing Capitol building. This mid-sized city, with a population around 43,000, sits roughly in the center of the state. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 42,561, Jefferson City has a total crime rate of 2,373.1 per 100,000 residents.

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