Is Charleston or Fredericksburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Fredericksburg (Safety Score 11/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100,000 versus 3,674 for Fredericksburg — 0% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fredericksburg has a 74% lower rate.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fredericksburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Fredericksburg, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Fredericksburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 3,674.4 | -9.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 603.9 | -59.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 3.4 | +9.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 67.9 | -9.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 64.5 | -10.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 468.2 | -50.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 3,070.5 | +49.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 118.8 | +536.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 2,822.8 | -541.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 128.9 | +54.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Fredericksburg safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100K vs 3,674 for Fredericksburg — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Fredericksburg has 603.9. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Charleston, WV
Charleston, WV, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers. Once a major hub for the salt and coal industries, its population is around 47,000. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 46,252, Charleston has a total crime rate of 3,664.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Fredericksburg, VA
Fredericksburg, Virginia, a city steeped in Civil War history, straddles the Rappahannock River in the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania MSA. Its proximity to Washington D.C. and Richmond draws a diverse population to its historic downtown and growing suburbs. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 29,474, Fredericksburg has a total crime rate of 3,674.4 per 100,000 residents.