Is Charleston or Hattiesburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Hattiesburg (Safety Score 11/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100,000 versus 3,687 for Hattiesburg — 1% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Hattiesburg has a 59% lower rate.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Hattiesburg, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Hattiesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 3,686.8 | -22.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 221.5 | +323.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 12.4 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 39.3 | +19.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 33.1 | +20.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 136.6 | +280.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 3,465.3 | -345.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 370.6 | +284.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 2,873.3 | -592.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 221.5 | -37.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Hattiesburg safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100K vs 3,687 for Hattiesburg — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Hattiesburg has 221.5. Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 per 100,000 residents.