Columbia, MS Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Columbia Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Columbia has a crime rate that is 71% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 148.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 148
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
78% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 27
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
100% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Columbia Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
175 | +75% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
187 | +87% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
176 | +76% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
193 | +93% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
184 | +84% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Columbia Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Columbia Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Columbia zip codes.
Columbia Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Columbia, MS?
Columbia, MS has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 71% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 148 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 27 chance for property crime. Columbia has higher crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Columbia, MS safe to live in?
Columbia has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Columbia is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbia?
The estimated violent crime rate in Columbia is 677.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 78% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 148 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.8 per 100K (75% above average); aggravated assault at 500.5 per 100K (87% above average); robbery at 108.6 per 100K (47% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Columbia?
The estimated property crime rate in Columbia is 3,668.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 100% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 27 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 375.9 per 100K (39% above average); larceny/theft at 2,706.0 per 100K (93% above average); vehicle theft at 586.8 per 100K (84% above average).
How does Columbia crime compare to the national average?
Columbia's overall crime rate is 71% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (93% above average), while burglary is 39% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Columbia has higher crime than 92% of them.
Is Columbia safe to visit?
Visitors to Columbia should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 100% above 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.
How does Columbia crime compare to the rest of Mississippi?
Mississippi as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Columbia's crime rate is 71% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Mississippi city.
What type of crime is most common in Columbia?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Columbia, with an estimated rate of 2,706.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 93% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,669 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (677 per 100K) in Columbia, which is consistent with national trends.