Is Charleston or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheeling is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 20/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,975 per 100,000 versus 3,665 for Charleston — 19% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheeling has a 100% lower rate.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Wheeling, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 2,974.8 | +689.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 982.6 | -437.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 0.0 | +13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 54.0 | +4.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 54.0 | +0.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 874.7 | -457.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 1,992.2 | +1,127.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 558.8 | +96.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 1,321.7 | +959.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 111.8 | +72.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Wheeling safer?
Wheeling is safer with a total crime rate of 2,975 per 100K vs 3,665 for Charleston — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Wheeling has 982.6. 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 Wheeling, WV
Wheeling, a historic Ohio River city, once served as West Virginia's first state capital. Its population of around 27,000 residents reflects a legacy of industry and a unique Appalachian-Rust Belt identity. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 25,951, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents.