Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Lowell Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lowell is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 35/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 51% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lowell has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 8.6x 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
Lowell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Lowell, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Lowell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,195.4 | +2,243.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 532.5 | +201.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 4.3 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 6.9 | +18.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 56.9 | +73.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 464.4 | +102.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,662.9 | +2,042.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 149.9 | +277.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,309.6 | +1,208.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 203.3 | +556.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Lowell safer?
Lowell is safer with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Lowell has 532.5. Lowell 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 Lowell, MA
Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 per 100,000 residents.
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