Is Columbia or Las Vegas Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Las Vegas Metro (Safety Score 25/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100,000 versus 3,053 for Las Vegas Metro — 13% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 38% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 13.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Las Vegas Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 3,052.7 | -386.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 430.0 | -80.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 6.2 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 51.6 | -13.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 64.8 | -25.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 307.2 | -47.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 2,622.7 | -305.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 461.5 | -128.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 1,564.5 | +41.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 596.7 | -217.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Las Vegas Metro safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100K vs 3,053 for Las Vegas Metro — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while Las Vegas Metro has 430.0. 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 Las Vegas Metro, NV
Las Vegas Metro encompasses the vibrant Entertainment Capital of the World, a city that sprung from a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Its population of over 2.3 million is a diverse mix, drawn to its unique blend of resort tourism and burgeoning tech industries. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 1,716,565, Las Vegas Metro has a total crime rate of 3,052.7 per 100,000 residents.