Is Charleston or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than New York City (Safety Score 36/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 29% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 489.4x 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
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,152.5 | 3,039.7 | -887.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.7 | 671.4 | -311.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 123.8 | 23.4 | +100.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.9 | 187.5 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.0 | 456.2 | -226.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 2,368.3 | -575.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.4 | 154.7 | +452.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.6 | 2,015.0 | -900.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.8 | 198.5 | -127.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or New York City safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 359.7 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.