Is Charleston Safer Than Charlotte - Mecklenburg? Crime Rates (2024 FBI Data)

Is Charleston or Charlotte - Mecklenburg Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 31/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 46% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 67% lower rate.

Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 6.4x 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

Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend

Violent

Property

Total

Charleston, SC

Safety Score 31/100

Coverage 156,898

Total Crime Rate 2,379.3

Category Wins 7/7

Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC

Safety Score 6/100

Coverage 1,003,130

Total Crime Rate 4,439.0

Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type	Charleston	Charlotte - Mecklenburg	Difference
Total Crime Rate	2,379.3	4,439.0	-2,059.8
Violent Crime Rate	357.6	733.7	-376.1
Murder Rate	4.5	10.9	-6.4
Rape Rate	28.0	24.9	+3.1
Robbery Rate	42.7	130.4	-87.7
Aggravated Assault Rate	282.4	567.0	-284.7
Property Crime Rate	2,021.7	3,705.3	-1,683.6
Burglary Rate	139.6	427.1	-287.5
Larceny-Theft Rate	1,656.5	2,518.2	-861.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate	225.6	760.0	-534.4

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charleston or Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer?

Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 46% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Charlotte - Mecklenburg has 733.7. Charleston has lower violent crime.

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.

Full crime report for Charleston South Carolina overview Most dangerous cities in South Carolina Safest cities in South Carolina

About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, 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 - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.

Full crime report for Charlotte - Mecklenburg North Carolina overview Most dangerous cities in North Carolina Safest cities in North Carolina

Charleston vs Charlotte - Mecklenburg Crime Comparison