Is Beaufort or North Charleston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Beaufort is safer than North Charleston (Safety Score 7/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,276 per 100,000 versus 4,767 for North Charleston — 10% lower. Beaufort has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beaufort has a 58% lower rate.
Note: North Charleston is 8.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beaufort — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaufort, SC
North Charleston, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaufort | North Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,276.4 | 4,767.2 | -490.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.2 | 811.3 | -108.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 17.0 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 50.2 | 60.7 | -10.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 107.6 | 153.0 | -45.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 531.0 | 579.7 | -48.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,573.2 | 3,955.9 | -382.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 322.9 | 323.9 | -1.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,078.1 | 3,105.8 | -27.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.2 | 526.3 | -354.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort or North Charleston safer?
Beaufort is safer with a total crime rate of 4,276 per 100K vs 4,767 for North Charleston — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 703.2 per 100K while North Charleston has 811.3. Beaufort 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 North Charleston, SC
North Charleston, a city with a rich naval history, lies in the heart of the Lowcountry. It's home to a diverse population exceeding 115,000 residents, spanning both Charleston and Dorchester counties. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 123,511, North Charleston has a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents.