Is Beckley or Morgantown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morgantown is safer than Beckley (Safety Score 36/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100,000 versus 8,517 for Beckley — 74% lower. Beckley has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beckley has a 100% lower rate.
Beckley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morgantown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beckley, WV
Morgantown, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beckley | Morgantown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 8,517.1 | 2,173.1 | +6,344.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 604.9 | 213.0 | +391.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.1 | -13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 116.1 | 59.0 | +57.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.0 | 19.7 | +35.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 433.8 | 118.0 | +315.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 7,912.3 | 1,960.0 | +5,952.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 879.8 | 114.7 | +765.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 6,861.4 | 1,809.2 | +5,052.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 171.1 | 36.1 | +135.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beckley or Morgantown safer?
Morgantown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100K vs 8,517 for Beckley — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beckley has a violent crime rate of 604.9 per 100K while Morgantown has 213.0. Morgantown 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 Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the Monongahela River. Its population of roughly 30,000 is significantly boosted by its large student body, shaping a vibrant yet often transient community. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 30,510, Morgantown has a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents.