Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Cleveland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 6/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 26% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 2.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Cleveland, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Cleveland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 5,987.4 | -1,548.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 1,561.1 | -827.4 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 30.1 | -19.2 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 140.9 | -115.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 389.2 | -258.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 1,000.9 | -433.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 4,426.3 | -721.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 860.3 | -433.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 2,419.5 | +98.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 1,146.5 | -386.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Cleveland safer?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Cleveland has 1,561.1. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower violent crime.
About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Its diverse population reflects a blend of historic European immigrant communities and growing newer populations. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 362,762, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 5,987.4 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
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