Is Columbia or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 2% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 33.7x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, TN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,060.3 | 3,125.4 | -65.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 573.2 | 800.0 | -226.9 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 8.4 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 52.7 | 64.3 | -11.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 181.6 | -149.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 476.0 | 545.3 | -69.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,487.1 | 2,325.3 | +161.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 923.6 | 317.2 | +606.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,403.6 | 1,582.1 | -178.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 160.0 | 426.0 | -266.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Phoenix safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 573.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Columbia 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.