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Charleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZ Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Charleston crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from Charleston, SC to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is Charleston, SC or Phoenix, AZ Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charleston, SC is safer than Phoenix, AZ (Safety Score 31/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix, AZ — 24% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 76% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 10.6x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Charleston, SC?

Charleston — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC
Safety Score 31/100
Coverage 156,898
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3
Category Wins 6/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Charleston Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3 3,125.4 -746.1
Violent Crime Rate 357.6 800.0 -442.5
Murder Rate 4.5 8.4 -3.9
Rape Rate 28.0 64.3 -36.3
Robbery Rate 42.7 181.6 -138.9
Aggravated Assault Rate 282.4 545.3 -263.0
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 2,325.3 -303.6
Burglary Rate 139.6 317.2 -177.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,656.5 1,582.1 +74.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 225.6 426.0 -200.4

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

Moving from Charleston, SC to Phoenix, AZ?

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.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charleston or Phoenix safer?

Charleston, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix, AZ — a 24% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.

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