Is Charleston or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,665 for Charleston — 15% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 36.0x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 3,125.4 | +539.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 800.0 | -255.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 8.4 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 64.3 | -5.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 181.6 | -127.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 545.3 | -128.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 2,325.3 | +794.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 317.2 | +337.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 1,582.1 | +698.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 426.0 | -242.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,665 for Charleston — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.