Moving from Columbia, SC to Orangeburg, SC?
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, SC or Orangeburg, SC Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Columbia, SC is safer than Orangeburg, SC (Safety Score 9/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100,000 versus 7,455 for Orangeburg, SC — 46% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbia has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 10.9x 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, SC?
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Orangeburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Orangeburg, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Orangeburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 7,455.0 | -3,452.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 1,246.3 | -476.3 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 30.0 | -20.4 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 22.5 | +39.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 187.7 | -79.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 1,006.0 | -415.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 6,208.7 | -2,976.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 1,111.1 | -614.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 4,557.1 | -2,200.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 540.5 | -161.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Columbia, SC to Orangeburg, SC?
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 Orangeburg safer?
Columbia, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100K vs 7,455 for Orangeburg, SC — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Orangeburg has 1,246.3. Columbia 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 9/100 and a population coverage of 144,559, Columbia has a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Orangeburg, SC
Orangeburg, SC, "The Garden City," is home to two historically Black colleges. Located along the Edisto River, it is the county seat of Orangeburg County. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 13,320, Orangeburg has a total crime rate of 7,455.0 per 100,000 residents.