Is Columbus or Fayetteville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fayetteville is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 24/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,699 per 100,000 versus 2,844 for Columbus — 5% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fayetteville has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 9.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fayetteville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, GA
Fayetteville, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Fayetteville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,843.9 | 2,699.1 | +144.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 608.3 | 156.5 | +451.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.9 | 9.8 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 25.4 | 44.0 | -18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.7 | 9.8 | +41.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.8 | 92.9 | +421.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,235.6 | 2,542.7 | -307.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 353.6 | 117.4 | +236.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,635.8 | 2,322.6 | -686.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 246.2 | 102.7 | +143.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Fayetteville safer?
Fayetteville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,699 per 100K vs 2,844 for Columbus — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 608.3 per 100K while Fayetteville has 156.5. Fayetteville has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, GA
Columbus, Georgia, a city on the Chattahoochee River, is home to Fort Moore, a major US Army installation. Its population of over 200,000 residents enjoys a vibrant arts scene and a rich industrial heritage. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 201,061, Columbus has a total crime rate of 2,843.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Fayetteville, GA
Fayetteville, Georgia, the county seat of Fayette County, is home to Pinewood Atlanta Studios. This suburban community, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, is situated south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 20,451, Fayetteville has a total crime rate of 2,699.1 per 100,000 residents.