Is Columbia or Paducah Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Paducah (Safety Score 19/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100,000 versus 3,065 for Paducah — 0% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Paducah has a 69% lower rate.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Paducah — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, TN
Paducah, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Paducah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,060.3 | 3,064.9 | -4.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 573.2 | 270.4 | +302.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 3.8 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 52.7 | 71.4 | -18.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 41.3 | -8.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 476.0 | 154.0 | +322.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,487.1 | 2,794.5 | -307.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 923.6 | 232.9 | +690.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,403.6 | 2,249.9 | -846.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 160.0 | 311.8 | -151.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Paducah safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100K vs 3,065 for Paducah — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 573.2 per 100K while Paducah has 270.4. Paducah has lower violent crime.
About Columbia, TN
Columbia, the "Dimple of the Universe," is a historic Southern city known for its Antebellum architecture and as the birthplace of James K. Polk. Situated on the Duck River in Maury County, it's a growing community of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 49,374, Columbia has a total crime rate of 3,060.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Paducah, KY
Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City known for its vibrant arts, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. This McCracken County seat in Western Kentucky has a population of around 27,000. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Paducah has a total crime rate of 3,064.9 per 100,000 residents.