Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 18/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 31% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Charles has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 12.9x 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
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 3,082.8 | +1,356.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 613.0 | +120.7 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 16.7 | -5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 52.6 | -27.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 64.1 | +66.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 479.6 | +87.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,469.8 | +1,235.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 613.0 | -185.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,651.7 | +866.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 205.2 | +554.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.
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