Is Columbia or Wilmington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wilmington is safer than Columbia (Safety Score 9/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,000 per 100,000 versus 4,003 for Columbia — 0% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wilmington has a 42% lower rate.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wilmington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, SC
Wilmington, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 4,000.0 | +2.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 485.2 | +284.7 |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 5.6 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 45.6 | +16.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.6 | 72.7 | +35.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 590.1 | 358.9 | +231.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 3,514.8 | -282.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 496.7 | 361.3 | +135.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,356.8 | 2,841.7 | -484.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.1 | 311.8 | +67.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Wilmington safer?
Wilmington is safer with a total crime rate of 4,000 per 100K vs 4,003 for Columbia — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100K while Wilmington has 485.2. Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC
Wilmington, a port city in southeastern North Carolina, is known for its historic downtown Riverwalk and as a major film production hub. Situated along the Cape Fear River, it's the county seat of New Hanover County. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 125,101, Wilmington has a total crime rate of 4,000.0 per 100,000 residents.