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Charlotte - Mecklenburg vs El Cajon Crime Comparison

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

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or El Cajon Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Cajon is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 42/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 56% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cajon has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 9.8x 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

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Flat Total

El Cajon — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC

Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 1,003,130
Total Crime Rate 4,439.0
Category Wins 0/7

El Cajon, CA

El Cajon, CA
Safety Score 42/100
Coverage 101,983
Total Crime Rate 1,934.6
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Charlotte - Mecklenburg El Cajon Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,439.0 1,934.6 +2,504.4
Violent Crime Rate 733.7 434.4 +299.3
Murder Rate 10.9 0.0 +10.9
Rape Rate 24.9 26.5 -1.6
Robbery Rate 130.4 105.9 +24.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 567.0 302.0 +265.0
Property Crime Rate 3,705.3 1,500.3 +2,205.1
Burglary Rate 427.1 154.0 +273.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,518.2 1,083.5 +1,434.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 760.0 262.8 +497.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or El Cajon safer?

El Cajon is safer with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 56% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while El Cajon has 434.4. El Cajon 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 El Cajon, CA

Nestled in a valley east of San Diego, El Cajon boasts a rich history as a stop along the old wagon trails. Today, it's a diverse community with a significant Chaldean American population, reflecting its unique cultural tapestry. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 101,983, El Cajon has a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents.

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