Is Columbia or Fountain Inn Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fountain Inn is safer than Columbia (Safety Score 72/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,057 per 100,000 versus 4,003 for Columbia — 74% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fountain Inn has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 10.3x 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
Fountain Inn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Fountain Inn, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Fountain Inn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 1,057.4 | +2,945.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 78.6 | +691.3 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 0.0 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 0.0 | +61.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 7.1 | +101.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 71.5 | +518.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 978.9 | +2,253.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 92.9 | +403.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 750.2 | +1,606.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 135.8 | +243.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Fountain Inn safer?
Fountain Inn is safer with a total crime rate of 1,057 per 100K vs 4,003 for Columbia — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Fountain Inn has 78.6. Fountain Inn has lower violent crime.
About Columbia, SC
Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, forming the Congaree. Home to the University of South Carolina, it's a vibrant city with a significant student population. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 144,559, Columbia has a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Fountain Inn, SC
Fountain Inn, named for an old inn with a fountain, is a small city in Greenville County. Situated along the I-385 corridor, it has experienced steady population growth. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 13,996, Fountain Inn has a total crime rate of 1,057.4 per 100,000 residents.