Is Columbia or Spartanburg Department Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Spartanburg Department (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100,000 versus 6,719 for Spartanburg Department — 40% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Columbia has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 3.7x 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
Spartanburg Department — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Spartanburg Department, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Spartanburg Department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 6,719.2 | -2,716.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 1,490.3 | -720.4 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 5.1 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 86.8 | -25.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 163.3 | -54.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 1,224.9 | -634.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 5,228.9 | -1,996.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 944.2 | -447.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 3,654.4 | -1,297.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 630.3 | -251.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Spartanburg Department safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,003 per 100K vs 6,719 for Spartanburg Department — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Spartanburg Department has 1,490.3. 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 8/100 and a population coverage of 144,559, Columbia has a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Spartanburg Department, SC
The Spartanburg Department serves a city known as Hub City due to its railroad history, located in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The area is home to diverse communities and several higher education institutions. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 39,186, Spartanburg Department has a total crime rate of 6,719.2 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
Compare Columbia
Compare Spartanburg Department
- Is Spartanburg Department safer than Philadelphia, PA?
- Is Spartanburg Department safer than San Antonio, TX?
- Is Spartanburg Department safer than San Diego, CA?
- Is Spartanburg Department safer than Dallas, TX?
- Is Spartanburg Department safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC?
- Is Spartanburg Department safer than Fort Worth, TX?