Is Norfolk Safer Than Charlotte - Mecklenburg? Crime Rates (2024 FBI Data)

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Norfolk Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norfolk is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 7/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,242 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 4% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Norfolk has a 41% lower rate.

Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 4.4x 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

Norfolk — 5-Year Trend

Violent

Property

Total

Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC

Safety Score 6/100

Coverage 1,003,130

Total Crime Rate 4,439.0

Category Wins 3/7

Norfolk, VA

Safety Score 7/100

Coverage 230,460

Total Crime Rate 4,242.0

Category Wins 4/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type	Charlotte - Mecklenburg	Norfolk	Difference
Total Crime Rate	4,439.0	4,242.0	+197.1
Violent Crime Rate	733.7	469.5	+264.2
Murder Rate	10.9	16.1	-5.2
Rape Rate	24.9	40.4	-15.4
Robbery Rate	130.4	77.2	+53.2
Aggravated Assault Rate	567.0	335.9	+231.2
Property Crime Rate	3,705.3	3,772.5	-67.2
Burglary Rate	427.1	254.3	+172.8
Larceny-Theft Rate	2,518.2	3,122.9	-604.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate	760.0	395.3	+364.7

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Norfolk safer?

Norfolk is safer with a total crime rate of 4,242 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 4% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Norfolk has 469.5. Norfolk 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.

Full crime report for Charlotte - Mecklenburg North Carolina overview Most dangerous cities in North Carolina Safest cities in North Carolina

About Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, a historic port city in Southeast Virginia, is home to the world's largest naval base. Its waterfront location at the mouth of the Elizabeth River shapes its identity and economy, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 230,460, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 residents.

Full crime report for Norfolk Virginia overview Most dangerous cities in Virginia Safest cities in Virginia

Charlotte - Mecklenburg vs Norfolk Crime Comparison