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

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Winston-Salem Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Winston-Salem is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 11/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,731 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 16% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Winston-Salem has a 25% lower rate.

Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 3.9x 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

Winston-Salem — 4-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

Winston-Salem, NC

Safety Score 11/100

Coverage 254,041

Total Crime Rate 3,731.3

Category Wins 4/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type	Charlotte - Mecklenburg	Winston-Salem	Difference
Total Crime Rate	4,439.0	3,731.3	+707.7
Violent Crime Rate	733.7	810.1	-76.4
Murder Rate	10.9	11.4	-0.6
Rape Rate	24.9	46.1	-21.1
Robbery Rate	130.4	97.2	+33.2
Aggravated Assault Rate	567.0	655.0	-88.0
Property Crime Rate	3,705.3	2,921.2	+784.1
Burglary Rate	427.1	570.0	-142.9
Larceny-Theft Rate	2,518.2	1,996.9	+521.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate	760.0	354.3	+405.8

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Winston-Salem safer?

Winston-Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,731 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 16% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Winston-Salem has 810.1. 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.

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

About Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem, NC, a city born from the tobacco and textile industries, is nestled in the Piedmont Triad. Home to Wake Forest University, its population is diverse, reflecting a blend of old Southern charm and modern influences. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 254,041, Winston-Salem has a total crime rate of 3,731.3 per 100,000 residents.

Full crime report for Winston-Salem North Carolina overview Most dangerous cities in North Carolina Safest cities in North Carolina

Charlotte - Mecklenburg vs Winston-Salem Crime Comparison