Is Columbia or Greenville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Greenville (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100,000 versus 4,114 for Greenville — 3% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Greenville has a 41% lower rate.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Greenville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Greenville, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Greenville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 4,114.2 | -111.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 645.7 | +124.2 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 9.5 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 30.0 | +31.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 64.0 | +44.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 540.8 | +49.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 3,468.4 | -235.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 303.8 | +192.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 2,858.1 | -501.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 306.5 | +72.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Greenville safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100K vs 4,114 for Greenville — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Greenville has 645.7. Greenville 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 Greenville, SC
Greenville, a city in the Upstate region, boasts a revitalized downtown along the Reedy River. It’s known for its textile industry heritage and a growing population of over 70,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 73,405, Greenville has a total crime rate of 4,114.2 per 100,000 residents.