Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Oakland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer than Oakland (Safety Score 6/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 9,156 for Oakland — 52% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 2.3x 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
Oakland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Oakland, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Oakland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 9,155.7 | -4,716.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 1,925.3 | -1,191.6 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 18.6 | -7.8 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 68.0 | -43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 680.4 | -550.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 1,158.3 | -591.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 7,230.3 | -3,525.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 786.8 | -359.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 4,164.7 | -1,646.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 2,278.9 | -1,518.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Oakland safer?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 9,156 for Oakland — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Oakland has 1,925.3. Charlotte - Mecklenburg 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 Oakland, CA
Oakland, a diverse East Bay city, boasts a rich history of activism and art, including its vibrant jazz scene. Geographically, it sits on the San Francisco Bay's eastern shore, home to a significant port and varied topography. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 435,042, Oakland has a total crime rate of 9,155.7 per 100,000 residents.
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