Is Columbia or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 25/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 15% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 12.8x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 3,125.4 | -458.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 800.0 | -451.0 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 8.4 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 64.3 | -25.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 181.6 | -141.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 545.3 | -286.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 2,325.3 | -7.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 317.2 | +15.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 1,582.1 | +23.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 426.0 | -47.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Phoenix safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.