Moving from Aiken, SC to Charleston, SC?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Aiken, SC or Charleston, SC Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charleston, SC is safer than Aiken, SC (Safety Score 31/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 4,527 for Aiken, SC — 47% lower. Aiken has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Charleston is 4.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Aiken, SC?
Aiken — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aiken, SC
Charleston, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aiken | Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.3 | 2,379.3 | +2,148.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 568.9 | 357.6 | +211.4 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 4.5 | +7.6 |
| Rape Rate | 57.2 | 28.0 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 42.7 | +17.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 439.5 | 282.4 | +157.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,958.3 | 2,021.7 | +1,936.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.2 | 139.6 | +200.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,404.5 | 1,656.5 | +1,748.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 213.7 | 225.6 | -11.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Aiken, SC to Charleston, SC?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aiken or Charleston safer?
Charleston, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 4,527 for Aiken, SC — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aiken has a violent crime rate of 568.9 per 100K while Charleston has 357.6. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Aiken, SC
Aiken, South Carolina, a city in Aiken County, is known for its historic Winter Colony estates. Located in the western part of the state, it boasts a population of over 32,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 33,221, Aiken has a total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Charleston, SC
Charleston, a historic port city founded in 1670, boasts cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture. Situated on a peninsula, its population is predominantly white, with a significant Black community contributing to its rich Lowcountry culture. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 156,898, Charleston has a total crime rate of 2,379.3 per 100,000 residents.