Is Columbus or Omaha Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Omaha (Safety Score 74/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100,000 versus 3,534 for Omaha — 71% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbus has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Omaha is 19.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Omaha — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, NE
Omaha, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Omaha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,012.4 | 3,534.3 | -2,521.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 85.4 | 372.5 | -287.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 44.7 | 46.2 | -1.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.1 | 46.9 | -42.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 36.6 | 272.0 | -235.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 927.0 | 3,161.8 | -2,234.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 93.5 | 235.9 | -142.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 768.5 | 2,264.3 | -1,495.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.1 | 661.6 | -596.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Omaha safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100K vs 3,534 for Omaha — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 85.4 per 100K while Omaha has 372.5. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, NE
Columbus, Nebraska, a city named after Christopher Columbus, sits on the Loup and Platte Rivers. It is the county seat of Platte County and has a population of over 24,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 24,595, Columbus has a total crime rate of 1,012.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Omaha, NE
Omaha, Nebraska, a Midwest hub known for its historic Old Market, sits on the Missouri River. This city of over 480,000 residents is also home to four Fortune 500 companies. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 480,235, Omaha has a total crime rate of 3,534.3 per 100,000 residents.