Moving from Columbia, MO to West Plains, MO?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Columbia, MO or West Plains, MO Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, West Plains, MO is safer than Columbia, MO (Safety Score 36/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100,000 versus 2,667 for Columbia, MO — 19% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Plains has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 10.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Columbia, MO?
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Plains — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
West Plains, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | West Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 2,167.4 | +499.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 361.2 | -12.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 0.0 | +10.0 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 86.4 | -48.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 23.6 | +16.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 251.3 | +8.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 1,806.2 | +511.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 180.6 | +152.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 1,476.4 | +129.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 149.2 | +229.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Columbia, MO to West Plains, MO?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or West Plains safer?
West Plains, MO is safer with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100K vs 2,667 for Columbia, MO — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while West Plains has 361.2. 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 West Plains, MO
West Plains, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks," is a south-central Missouri town known for its historic Houck's Mill. This Howell County seat serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,734, West Plains has a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents.