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Charleston, SC vs Myrtle Beach, SC Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Charleston crime rate · Myrtle Beach crime rate

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Is Charleston, SC or Myrtle Beach, SC Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charleston, SC is safer than Myrtle Beach, SC (Safety Score 31/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 6,767 for Myrtle Beach, SC — 65% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 75% lower rate.

Note: Charleston is 3.8x 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

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Myrtle Beach — 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 7/7

Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach, SC
Safety Score 1/100
Coverage 41,022
Total Crime Rate 6,767.1
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Charleston Myrtle Beach Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3 6,767.1 -4,387.9
Violent Crime Rate 357.6 1,111.6 -754.0
Murder Rate 4.5 12.2 -7.7
Rape Rate 28.0 185.3 -157.2
Robbery Rate 42.7 173.1 -130.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 282.4 741.1 -458.7
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 5,655.5 -3,633.8
Burglary Rate 139.6 446.1 -306.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,656.5 4,814.5 -3,158.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 225.6 394.9 -169.3

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

Moving from Charleston, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach safer?

Charleston, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 6,767 for Myrtle Beach, SC — a 65% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Myrtle Beach has 1,111.6. 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 Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach, a popular East Coast vacation destination, is known for its "Grand Strand" of beaches and numerous golf courses. This coastal city in Horry County experiences a significant influx of tourists, especially during the summer months. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 41,022, Myrtle Beach has a total crime rate of 6,767.1 per 100,000 residents.

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