Is Columbia or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 25/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 62% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 84% lower rate.
Note: St. Louis City is 2.1x 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
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 7,075.9 | -4,409.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 1,368.9 | -1,019.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 54.1 | -44.1 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 58.1 | -19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 249.6 | -209.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 1,005.4 | -746.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 5,706.9 | -3,389.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 819.7 | -486.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 3,412.3 | -1,806.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 1,475.0 | -1,096.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or St. Louis City safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,667 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. 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 St. Louis City, MO
St. Louis City, Missouri, a major port on the Mississippi River, is home to the iconic Gateway Arch. With a population exceeding 300,000, it's a vibrant Midwestern hub with a rich German heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 277,294, St. Louis City has a total crime rate of 7,075.9 per 100,000 residents.