Is Charleston or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 36/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 3% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 223.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,152.5 | 2,212.5 | -60.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.7 | 728.5 | -368.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 123.8 | 40.3 | +83.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.9 | 209.9 | -204.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.0 | 471.4 | -241.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 1,483.9 | +308.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.4 | 372.8 | +234.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.6 | 851.5 | +263.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.8 | 259.6 | -188.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Los Angeles safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 359.7 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Charleston, IL
Home to Eastern Illinois University, Charleston is a Central Illinois city with a population around 17,000. It's known for its historic town square and as the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 16,957, Charleston has a total crime rate of 2,152.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.