Is Columbia or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 25/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 50% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Columbia has a 70% lower rate.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 5,364.0 | -2,697.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 1,179.3 | -830.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 5.9 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 104.4 | -66.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 123.7 | -83.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 944.1 | -684.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 4,184.7 | -1,867.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 726.6 | -393.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 3,001.3 | -1,395.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 456.8 | -77.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Springfield safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. 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 Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO, "Queen City of the Ozarks," is a regional hub in southwest Missouri. Home to Bass Pro Shops' first store, it's a growing metropolitan area with a population of over 169,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 170,527, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,364.0 per 100,000 residents.