Is Charleston or Huntington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Huntington (Safety Score 11/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100,000 versus 4,405 for Huntington — 17% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 48% lower rate.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Huntington, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Huntington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 4,404.8 | -740.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 802.5 | -257.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 13.4 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 102.5 | -44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 104.8 | -50.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 579.6 | -162.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 3,602.3 | -482.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 606.3 | +48.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 2,661.6 | -380.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 334.4 | -150.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Huntington safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100K vs 4,405 for Huntington — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Huntington has 802.5. 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 Huntington, WV
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills at the confluence of the Ohio and Guyandotte Rivers, Huntington, West Virginia, is a former railway hub and home to Marshall University. The city's rich industrial past shaped its landscape and community. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 44,860, Huntington has a total crime rate of 4,404.8 per 100,000 residents.