Is Columbia or Tega Cay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tega Cay is safer than Columbia (Safety Score 97/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 325 per 100,000 versus 4,003 for Columbia — 92% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tega Cay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbia is 10.0x 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
Tega Cay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Tega Cay, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Tega Cay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 325.1 | +3,677.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 27.7 | +742.3 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 0.0 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 6.9 | +54.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 6.9 | +101.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 13.8 | +576.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 297.5 | +2,935.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 20.8 | +475.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 256.0 | +2,100.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 20.8 | +358.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Tega Cay safer?
Tega Cay is safer with a total crime rate of 325 per 100K vs 4,003 for Columbia — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Tega Cay has 27.7. Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay, SC
Tega Cay, meaning "Beautiful Peninsula" in Polynesian, is a planned community on Lake Wylie. Many residents commute to Charlotte, North Carolina, just across the state line. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 14,456, Tega Cay has a total crime rate of 325.1 per 100,000 residents.