Is Charleston or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 31% 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: Phoenix is 98.1x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,152.5 | 3,125.4 | -972.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.7 | 800.0 | -440.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 123.8 | 64.3 | +59.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.9 | 181.6 | -175.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.0 | 545.3 | -315.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 2,325.3 | -532.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.4 | 317.2 | +290.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.6 | 1,582.1 | -467.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.8 | 426.0 | -355.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Phoenix safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 359.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.