Share

Charlotte vs Detroit Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Charlotte crime rate · Detroit crime rate

Moving from Charlotte, NC to Detroit, MI?

An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Is Charlotte or Detroit Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Charlotte is safer than Detroit (Safety Score 6/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 6,087 for Detroit — 27% lower. Charlotte has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlotte has a 65% lower rate.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Flat Total

Detroit — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 1,003,130
Total Crime Rate 4,439.0
Category Wins 6/7

Detroit, MI

Detroit, MI
Safety Score 2/100
Coverage 651,171
Total Crime Rate 6,086.9
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Charlotte Detroit Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,439.0 6,086.9 -1,647.9
Violent Crime Rate 733.7 1,781.6 -1,047.9
Murder Rate 10.9 31.2 -20.3
Rape Rate 24.9 92.9 -68.0
Robbery Rate 130.4 183.5 -53.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 567.0 1,473.7 -906.6
Property Crime Rate 3,705.3 4,305.3 -600.0
Burglary Rate 427.1 703.0 -276.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,518.2 2,343.9 +174.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 760.0 1,258.4 -498.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Charlotte, NC to Detroit, MI?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte or Detroit safer?

Charlotte is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 6,087 for Detroit — a 27% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charlotte has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Detroit has 1,781.6. Charlotte has lower violent crime.

About Charlotte, 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 has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.

About Detroit, MI

Detroit, once the "Motor City" and heart of the American auto industry, sits on the Detroit River, bordering Canada. This major Midwest city has a diverse population, with a significant African American heritage shaping its vibrant culture. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 651,171, Detroit has a total crime rate of 6,086.9 per 100,000 residents.

More Crime Rate Comparisons