Moving from Charleston, SC to Sumter, 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.
Is Charleston, SC or Sumter, SC Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charleston, SC is safer than Sumter, SC (Safety Score 31/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100,000 versus 4,804 for Sumter, SC — 50% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Charleston is 3.7x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Sumter — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, SC
Sumter, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Sumter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,379.3 | 4,803.7 | -2,424.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.6 | 1,097.5 | -740.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 23.5 | -19.0 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 23.5 | +4.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.7 | 65.8 | -23.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 282.4 | 984.7 | -702.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 3,706.1 | -1,684.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.6 | 340.8 | -201.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,656.5 | 2,874.2 | -1,217.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 225.6 | 491.2 | -265.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Charleston, SC to Sumter, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Sumter safer?
Charleston, SC is safer with a total crime rate of 2,379 per 100K vs 4,804 for Sumter, SC — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Sumter has 1,097.5. 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 Sumter, SC
Sumter, SC, known for Shaw Air Force Base, is a mid-sized city in the heart of South Carolina. It boasts a diverse population of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 42,551, Sumter has a total crime rate of 4,803.7 per 100,000 residents.