Is Charleston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,665 for Charleston — 43% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 81% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 30.0x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 2,082.4 | +1,582.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 412.4 | +132.5 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 2.5 | +10.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 21.4 | +37.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 77.4 | -23.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 310.9 | +106.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 1,670.0 | +1,449.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 187.4 | +467.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 1,087.1 | +1,193.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 395.5 | -211.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,665 for Charleston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.