Is Columbus or Sacramento Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Sacramento (Safety Score 18/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 3,302 for Sacramento — 6% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 54% lower rate.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sacramento — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Sacramento, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Sacramento | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 3,302.5 | -214.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 755.1 | -320.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 8.5 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 34.6 | +89.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 192.2 | -104.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 519.7 | -309.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 2,547.3 | +106.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 441.6 | -37.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,596.1 | +110.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 509.6 | +33.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Sacramento safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100K vs 3,302 for Sacramento — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Sacramento has 755.1. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, California's state capital, sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. A key Gold Rush city, it's known for its tree-lined streets and diverse population. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 526,670, Sacramento has a total crime rate of 3,302.5 per 100,000 residents.