Moving from Charlotte, NC to Santa Maria, CA?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Charlotte or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than Charlotte (Safety Score 28/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte — 43% lower. Charlotte has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte is 9.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Charlotte, NC?
Charlotte — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte, NC
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 2,543.3 | +1,895.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 660.6 | +73.1 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 2.7 | +8.1 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 68.2 | -43.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 173.6 | -43.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 416.2 | +150.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,882.7 | +1,822.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 312.6 | +114.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 1,149.4 | +1,368.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 420.7 | +339.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Charlotte, NC to Santa Maria, CA?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. Santa Maria has lower violent crime.
About Charlotte, 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 has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.