Is Charleston or Tega Cay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tega Cay is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 97/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 325 per 100,000 versus 2,379 for Charleston — 86% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tega Cay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charleston is 10.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tega Cay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, SC
Tega Cay, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Tega Cay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,379.3 | 325.1 | +2,054.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.6 | 27.7 | +329.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 0.0 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 6.9 | +21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.7 | 6.9 | +35.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 282.4 | 13.8 | +268.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 297.5 | +1,724.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.6 | 20.8 | +118.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,656.5 | 256.0 | +1,400.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 225.6 | 20.8 | +204.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Tega Cay safer?
Tega Cay is safer with a total crime rate of 325 per 100K vs 2,379 for Charleston — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 357.6 per 100K while Tega Cay has 27.7. Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay, SC
Tega Cay, meaning "Beautiful Peninsula" in Polynesian, is a planned community on Lake Wylie. Many residents commute to Charlotte, North Carolina, just across the state line. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 14,456, Tega Cay has a total crime rate of 325.1 per 100,000 residents.