Moving from Charleston, SC to San Diego, CA?
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 San Diego, CA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego, CA is safer than Charleston, SC (Safety Score 38/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,379 for Charleston, SC — 12% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 45% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 8.9x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, SC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,379.3 | 2,082.4 | +296.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.6 | 412.4 | -54.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 2.5 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 21.4 | +6.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.7 | 77.4 | -34.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 282.4 | 310.9 | -28.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,670.0 | +351.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.6 | 187.4 | -47.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,656.5 | 1,087.1 | +569.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 225.6 | 395.5 | -169.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Charleston, SC to San Diego, CA?
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 San Diego safer?
San Diego, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,379 for Charleston, SC — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. 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 San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.