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Bluffton, SC vs Charleston, SC Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Bluffton crime rate · Charleston crime rate

Moving from Bluffton, SC to Charleston, SC?

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Is Bluffton, SC or Charleston, SC Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bluffton, SC is safer than Charleston, SC (Safety Score 77/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 944 per 100,000 versus 2,379 for Charleston, SC — 60% lower. Bluffton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Bluffton has a 67% lower rate.

Note: Charleston is 4.1x 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 Bluffton, SC?

Bluffton — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Charleston — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Bluffton, SC

Bluffton, SC
Safety Score 77/100
Coverage 37,927
Total Crime Rate 943.9
Category Wins 6/7

Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC
Safety Score 31/100
Coverage 156,898
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Bluffton Charleston Difference
Total Crime Rate 943.9 2,379.3 -1,435.3
Violent Crime Rate 118.7 357.6 -238.9
Murder Rate 5.3 4.5 +0.8
Rape Rate 15.8 28.0 -12.2
Robbery Rate 21.1 42.7 -21.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 76.5 282.4 -205.9
Property Crime Rate 825.3 2,021.7 -1,196.4
Burglary Rate 68.6 139.6 -71.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 680.3 1,656.5 -976.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 76.5 225.6 -149.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Bluffton, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bluffton or Charleston safer?

Bluffton, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 944 per 100K vs 2,379 for Charleston, SC — a 60% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Bluffton has a violent crime rate of 118.7 per 100K while Charleston has 357.6. Bluffton has lower violent crime.

About Bluffton, SC

Bluffton, a "Lowcountry" town on the May River, was once a thriving antebellum port. This charming Beaufort County community is known for its distinctive architecture and vibrant arts scene, drawing visitors to its historic district. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 37,927, Bluffton has a total crime rate of 943.9 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.

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