Columbia, MO Crime Rate & Safety

Columbia, MO has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 28% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 374 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 55 chance for property crime. Columbia has lower crime than 59% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Columbia is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 93% of the city's 88 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Rothwell Heights is one of the safest areas, while Douglass Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Columbia is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Columbia are Rothwell Heights, Coventry Court, Dubradis, Katy Lake Estates, and Chapel Hill Estates. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Columbia include Douglass Park, Shoe Factory District, White Gate, Worley Street Park, and Hominy Branch. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Columbia is 267.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 374 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (19% below average); aggravated assault at 183.2 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 58.7 per 100K (21% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Columbia is 1,815.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 55 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 214.3 per 100K (21% below average); larceny/theft at 1,322.0 per 100K (6% below average); vehicle theft at 279.3 per 100K (12% below average).

Columbia's overall crime rate is 28% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (6% below average), while rape is 35% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Columbia has lower crime than 59% of them.

Columbia is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Rothwell Heights, Coventry Court, Dubradis.

Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Columbia's crime rate is 28% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Columbia, with an estimated rate of 1,322.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 6% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,816 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (268 per 100K) in Columbia, which is consistent with national trends.