Is Charleston or Gaffney Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Gaffney (Safety Score 31/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 4,404 for Gaffney — 46% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Charleston is 12.7x 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
Gaffney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, SC
Gaffney, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Gaffney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,379.3 | 4,403.6 | -2,024.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.6 | 225.8 | +131.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 16.1 | -11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 56.5 | -28.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.7 | 16.1 | +26.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 282.4 | 137.1 | +145.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 4,177.8 | -2,156.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.6 | 645.2 | -505.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,656.5 | 3,137.4 | -1,480.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 225.6 | 395.2 | -169.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Gaffney safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 4,404 for Gaffney — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Gaffney has 225.8. Gaffney 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 Gaffney, SC
Gaffney, SC, home to the iconic Peachoid water tower, sits in Cherokee County. This small Southern town, with a population around 13,000, is part of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson combined statistical area. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 12,399, Gaffney has a total crime rate of 4,403.6 per 100,000 residents.