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Charleston, SC vs Lexington, SC Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Charleston crime rate · Lexington crime rate

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Is Charleston, SC or Lexington, SC Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington, SC is safer than Charleston, SC (Safety Score 51/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 1,684 per 100,000 versus 2,379 for Charleston, SC — 29% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Lexington has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Charleston is 6.2x 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

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Lexington — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC
Safety Score 31/100
Coverage 156,898
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3
Category Wins 0/7

Lexington, SC

Lexington, SC
Safety Score 51/100
Coverage 25,359
Total Crime Rate 1,683.8
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Charleston Lexington Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3 1,683.8 +695.4
Violent Crime Rate 357.6 118.3 +239.3
Murder Rate 4.5 0.0 +4.5
Rape Rate 28.0 7.9 +20.2
Robbery Rate 42.7 0.0 +42.7
Aggravated Assault Rate 282.4 110.4 +171.9
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 1,565.5 +456.2
Burglary Rate 139.6 94.6 +44.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,656.5 1,372.3 +284.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 225.6 98.6 +127.0

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

Moving from Charleston, SC to Lexington, SC?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charleston or Lexington safer?

Lexington, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 1,684 per 100K vs 2,379 for Charleston, SC — a 29% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Lexington has 118.3. Lexington 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 Lexington, SC

Lexington, South Carolina, a town within the Columbia metropolitan area, boasts a rich history dating back to its colonial roots. Situated near Lake Murray, it is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 25,359, Lexington has a total crime rate of 1,683.8 per 100,000 residents.

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