Is Charleston or Saint Albans Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Saint Albans is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 33/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,313 per 100,000 versus 3,665 for Charleston — 37% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Saint Albans has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charleston is 4.5x 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
Saint Albans — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Saint Albans, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Saint Albans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 2,313.3 | +1,351.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 224.5 | +320.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 0.0 | +13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 29.3 | +29.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 39.0 | +15.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 156.2 | +261.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 2,088.8 | +1,031.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 263.5 | +391.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 1,659.4 | +621.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 165.9 | +17.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Saint Albans safer?
Saint Albans is safer with a total crime rate of 2,313 per 100K vs 3,665 for Charleston — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Saint Albans has 224.5. Saint Albans 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 Saint Albans, WV
Saint Albans, West Virginia, a Kanawha Valley city, was once known as "Fourteen Mile Island" due to its riverside location. Over 10,000 residents call this historic community home. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 10,245, Saint Albans has a total crime rate of 2,313.3 per 100,000 residents.