Is Columbia or Greenwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Greenwood is safer than Columbia (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,813 per 100,000 versus 4,003 for Columbia — 5% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Greenwood has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 6.4x 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
Greenwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Greenwood, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Greenwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 3,812.6 | +189.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 489.4 | +280.6 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 13.4 | -3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 62.3 | -0.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 57.8 | +50.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 351.5 | +238.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 3,323.3 | -90.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 729.6 | -232.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 2,531.4 | -174.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 62.3 | +316.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Greenwood safer?
Greenwood is safer with a total crime rate of 3,813 per 100K vs 4,003 for Columbia — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Greenwood has 489.4. Greenwood 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 Greenwood, SC
Greenwood, SC, in the Upstate region, is home to Lander University, a public liberal arts school. This city of about 23,000 residents serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding Greenwood County. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 22,478, Greenwood has a total crime rate of 3,812.6 per 100,000 residents.