Moving from Charleston, SC to Chicago, IL?
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.
Is Charleston, SC or Chicago, IL Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charleston, SC is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 31/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 41% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 16.8x 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 Charleston, SC?
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, SC
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,379.3 | 4,012.2 | -1,633.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.6 | 539.9 | -182.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 17.5 | -13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 58.8 | -30.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.7 | 335.3 | -292.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 282.4 | 128.3 | +154.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 3,472.4 | -1,450.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.6 | 294.8 | -155.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,656.5 | 2,318.8 | -662.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 225.6 | 858.9 | -633.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Charleston, SC to Chicago, IL?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Chicago safer?
Charleston, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. 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.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.