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Is Columbia SC a safe city?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 15, 2026

With a crime rate of 52 per one thousand residents, Columbia has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 19.

What is the safest area of Columbia SC?

If you're considering living in the Columbia area, here are five safe and affordable suburbs to consider!

  • Blythewood.
  • Forest Acres.
  • Irmo.
  • Lexington.
  • Seven Oaks.

How safe is Columbia South Carolina to live?

Columbia, SC Crime Statistics

When compared to other U.S. cities, Columbia is only two percent more safe than most. It has an estimated 9,503 total crimes per year, with 1,001 being violent crimes and 8.502 being property crimes. This is a rate of 71.3 total crimes per 1,000 residents each year.

Is Columbia SC nice to live?

Thinking of moving to Columbia? South Carolina's capital city is a fast-growing metro that offers a small town feel and affordable cost of living—and with a friendly culture, incredible art scene, and fantastic restaurants, it's no wonder why Cola Town is one of the top 100 best places to live in the U.S.

What is the safest city in SC to live?

Edgefield, our number 1 this year, is new to the list—it reported the lowest violent and property crime rates in the state with a total of just 32 property crimes and only 2 violent crimes (neither of which was rape or murder). Surfside Beach (16) is also new to the list. 11 cities increased in rank this year.

34 related questions found

How safe is West Columbia SC?

With a crime rate of 92 per one thousand residents, West Columbia has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 11.

Why are houses so cheap in Columbia SC?

Although housing is relatively affordable in Columbia, there simply isn't enough inventory to meet demand. The imbalance between supply and demand is one likely reason why more than 50% of the households in Columbia rent rather than own.

Is Columbia SC good for families?

Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina and has quite a lot to offer in terms of a family lifestyle. Columbia, SC, neighborhoods range from the affordable to the luxurious, all offering quiet lifestyles that are close to good schools and safe living.

Is Columbia SC a good area?

Columbia is in Richland County and is one of the best places to live in South Carolina. Living in Columbia offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Columbia there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Columbia and residents tend to lean liberal.

Is there a lot of crime in Colombia?

Due to problems like drugs and poverty, crime rates are incredibly high in some parts of Colombia. If you're looking at visiting Colombia, check out our list of the 8 most dangerous cities in the country.

Is Colombia safe?

The short answer from us is yes, it is safe to travel to Colombia – as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas, this is one of the most incredible destinations in South America.

Is Greenville SC Safe?

Greenville may not be one of the 10 safest cities in South Carolina, but it's still pretty safe. In its 2020 Safest Cities report, which is calculated using FBI crime data from 2018, the SafeWise Team listed Greenville as No. 35 in South Carolina . The city reported a violent crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents.

What is the most affordable place to live in South Carolina?

7 Cheapest Places to Live in South Carolina

  • Parker. Parker is one of the cheapest places to live in South Carolina. ...
  • Conway. Conway is a river town that is tucked into the Waccamaw River both to the north and the west. ...
  • Chester. ...
  • Gaffney. ...
  • Cheraw. ...
  • Laurens. ...
  • Murrells Inlet. ...
  • Find a Realtor Who Knows South Carolina.

What are the best areas in Columbia SC to live?

Best Suburbs of Columbia, SC

  • Cayce. Population: 14,081.
  • Dentsville. Population: 14,062. ...
  • Forest Acres. Population: 10,331. ...
  • Irmo. Population: 12,357. ...
  • Seven Oaks. Population: 15,144. ...
  • West Columbia. Population: 17,821. ...
  • Batesburg-Leesville. Population: 5,385. Median Home Value: $118,400. ...
  • Camden. Population: 7,196. Median Home Value: $158,900. ...

Is Blythewood SC Safe?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Blythewood is 1 in 50. Based on FBI crime data, Blythewood is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to South Carolina, Blythewood has a crime rate that is higher than 36% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Columbia a good city to move to?

A Small-Town Feel With Big City Perks

There's a lot of reasons people love living in Columbia. Every week in Columbia you can find festivals, art exhibitions, concerts, and markets to go to. Of course, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has changed the ability of all places to hold events.

Is Columbia South Carolina expensive?

In fact, Columbia's cost of living is 84.3, making it more than 15% less expensive than the national average. Housing, food, health care and transportation all factor into the advantageous cost of living in Columbia.

Are home prices dropping in South Carolina?

Key market stats:

Home values in Greenville, SC have increased by 15.5% over the past year and have grown by nearly 63% over the past 5 years. The median listing home price in Greenville is $295,300 according to the most recent report from Realtor.com (November 2021).

Why is real estate so cheap in South Carolina?

Taxes are lower in South Carolina:

South Carolina is in the top 10 lowest taxed states, so living here offers lower real estate taxes, sales tax, and personal income tax. Gas taxes are low, which means the costs of transportation are the lowest in the US. Property taxes are among the lowest in the country.

What is the real estate market like in South Carolina?

Housing Market in South Carolina

Home Appreciation is up 12.8% in the last 12 months. The median home price in South Carolina is $223,400.

Is West Columbia a good place to live?

West Columbia is a growing city with a lot of potential! There are many new local businesses including eateries, entertainment venues and shops. Its perfect for the people that like to be in a country type area where you can see a lot woods and animals. Especially if you live in the outskirts.

Is Lexington SC Safe?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Lexington is 1 in 43. Based on FBI crime data, Lexington is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to South Carolina, Lexington has a crime rate that is higher than 44% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Springdale SC Safe?

Springdale Reviews

Our crime rate is not high in the area but it has happened a couple of times with mostly breaking and entering. No serious crimes has happened like murders, shootings, child abusers and so on. We have a couple of parks in the area where you might have to travel 5 to 10 minutes from our neighborhood.