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Charleston, SC vs Summerville, SC Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Charleston crime rate · Summerville crime rate

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Is Charleston, SC or Summerville, SC Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Summerville, SC is safer than Charleston, SC (Safety Score 41/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 1,990 per 100,000 versus 2,379 for Charleston, SC — 16% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Summerville has a 51% lower rate.

Note: Charleston is 3.0x 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

Summerville — 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

Summerville, SC

Summerville, SC
Safety Score 41/100
Coverage 52,148
Total Crime Rate 1,990.5
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Charleston Summerville Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,379.3 1,990.5 +388.8
Violent Crime Rate 357.6 222.4 +135.1
Murder Rate 4.5 3.8 +0.6
Rape Rate 28.0 17.3 +10.8
Robbery Rate 42.7 21.1 +21.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 282.4 180.3 +102.1
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 1,768.0 +253.7
Burglary Rate 139.6 97.8 +41.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,656.5 1,545.6 +110.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 225.6 124.7 +101.0

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

Moving from Charleston, SC to Summerville, 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 Summerville safer?

Summerville, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 1,990 per 100K vs 2,379 for Charleston, SC — a 16% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Summerville has 222.4. Summerville 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 Summerville, SC

Summerville, the "Flowertown in the World," is a historic town in Dorchester County, South Carolina. Known for its picturesque downtown and abundant azaleas, it lies approximately 25 miles northwest of Charleston, drawing residents seeking a suburban lifestyle. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 52,148, Summerville has a total crime rate of 1,990.5 per 100,000 residents.

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