Is Columbia or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than New York City (Safety Score 25/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 12% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 79% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 63.7x 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
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 3,039.7 | -373.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 671.4 | -322.4 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 3.9 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 23.4 | +15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 187.5 | -147.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 456.2 | -196.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 2,368.3 | -50.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 154.7 | +178.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 2,015.0 | -409.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 198.5 | +180.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or New York City safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.