Is Charleston or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 35/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,665 for Charleston — 40% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 82.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 2,212.5 | +1,452.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 728.5 | -183.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 7.0 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 40.3 | +18.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 209.9 | -155.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 471.4 | -54.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 1,483.9 | +1,636.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 372.8 | +282.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 851.5 | +1,429.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 259.6 | -75.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,665 for Charleston — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.