Moving from Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, SC or Charleston, SC Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charleston, SC is safer than Beaufort, SC (Safety Score 31/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 4,276 for Beaufort, SC — 44% lower. Beaufort has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Charleston is 11.3x 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 SAFER than Beaufort, SC?
Beaufort — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaufort, SC
Charleston, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaufort | Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,276.4 | 2,379.3 | +1,897.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.2 | 357.6 | +345.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 4.5 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 50.2 | 28.0 | +22.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 107.6 | 42.7 | +64.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 531.0 | 282.4 | +248.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,573.2 | 2,021.7 | +1,551.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 322.9 | 139.6 | +183.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,078.1 | 1,656.5 | +1,421.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.2 | 225.6 | -53.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Beaufort, 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 Beaufort or Charleston safer?
Charleston, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 4,276 for Beaufort, SC — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 703.2 per 100K while Charleston has 357.6. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Beaufort, SC
Beaufort, South Carolina, a historic coastal city founded in 1711, is the second-oldest city in the state. Situated on Port Royal Island, it's home to a diverse population of roughly 13,000 residents. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 13,937, Beaufort has a total crime rate of 4,276.4 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.