Is Beckley or Huntington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Huntington is safer than Beckley (Safety Score 6/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,405 per 100,000 versus 8,517 for Beckley — 48% lower. Beckley has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beckley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Huntington is 2.7x 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 Beckley, WV?
Beckley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beckley, WV
Huntington, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beckley | Huntington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 8,517.1 | 4,404.8 | +4,112.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 604.9 | 802.5 | -197.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.4 | -13.4 |
| Rape Rate | 116.1 | 102.5 | +13.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.0 | 104.8 | -49.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 433.8 | 579.6 | -145.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 7,912.3 | 3,602.3 | +4,309.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 879.8 | 606.3 | +273.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 6,861.4 | 2,661.6 | +4,199.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 171.1 | 334.4 | -163.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beckley or Huntington safer?
Huntington is safer with a total crime rate of 4,405 per 100K vs 8,517 for Beckley — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beckley has a violent crime rate of 604.9 per 100K while Huntington has 802.5. Beckley has lower violent crime.
About Beckley, WV
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Beckley, West Virginia, is a historic coal mining town. Home to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, it serves as a regional hub for southern West Virginia. Its population is approximately 16,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 16,367, Beckley has a total crime rate of 8,517.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Huntington, WV
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills at the confluence of the Ohio and Guyandotte Rivers, Huntington, West Virginia, is a former railway hub and home to Marshall University. The city's rich industrial past shaped its landscape and community. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 44,860, Huntington has a total crime rate of 4,404.8 per 100,000 residents.