Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Sault Ste. Marie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sault Ste. Marie is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 56/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 66% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sault Ste. Marie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 75.4x 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
Sault Ste. Marie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Sault Ste. Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 1,510.1 | +2,928.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 405.7 | +328.0 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 0.0 | +10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 150.3 | -125.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 7.5 | +122.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 247.9 | +319.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 1,104.4 | +2,600.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 67.6 | +359.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 991.7 | +1,526.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 45.1 | +714.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Sault Ste. Marie safer?
Sault Ste. Marie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Sault Ste. Marie has 405.7. Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the oldest city in Michigan, sits on the St. Marys River across from its Canadian twin. Home to the Soo Locks, a major shipping thoroughfare, its population is around 13,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 13,310, Sault Ste. Marie has a total crime rate of 1,510.1 per 100,000 residents.
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