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Buffalo, NY vs Charlotte, NC Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Buffalo crime rate · Charlotte crime rate

Moving from Buffalo, NY to Charlotte, NC?

An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Is Buffalo, NY or Charlotte, NC Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charlotte, NC is safer than Buffalo, NY (Safety Score 6/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo, NY — 2% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

Note: Charlotte is 3.7x 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 SAFER than Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Charlotte — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Flat Total

Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 273,728
Total Crime Rate 4,516.5
Category Wins 1/7

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 1,003,130
Total Crime Rate 4,439.0
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Buffalo Charlotte Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,516.5 4,439.0 +77.5
Violent Crime Rate 706.9 733.7 -26.8
Murder Rate 12.4 10.9 +1.6
Rape Rate 43.5 24.9 +18.6
Robbery Rate 157.8 130.4 +27.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 492.5 567.0 -74.6
Property Crime Rate 3,809.6 3,705.3 +104.3
Burglary Rate 438.0 427.1 +11.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,573.4 2,518.2 +55.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 798.2 760.0 +38.2

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

Moving from Buffalo, NY to Charlotte, NC?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buffalo or Charlotte safer?

Charlotte, NC is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo, NY — a 2% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Charlotte has 733.7. Buffalo has lower violent crime.

About Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and stunning architecture by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright. As the second-largest city in New York, it experiences distinct seasons, including significant snowfall. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 per 100,000 residents.

About Charlotte, NC

Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.

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