Is Charlottesville or El Cerrito Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Cerrito is safer than Charlottesville (Safety Score 12/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,524 per 100,000 versus 3,550 for Charlottesville — 1% lower. Charlottesville has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cerrito has a 100% lower rate.
Charlottesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Cerrito — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlottesville, VA
El Cerrito, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlottesville | El Cerrito | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,550.1 | 3,524.2 | +25.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.0 | 479.9 | -120.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 0.0 | +2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 15.7 | +26.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 287.1 | -226.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 254.2 | 177.0 | +77.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,191.1 | 3,044.4 | +146.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 240.8 | 338.3 | -97.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,660.3 | 2,253.8 | +406.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 289.9 | 452.3 | -162.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or El Cerrito safer?
El Cerrito is safer with a total crime rate of 3,524 per 100K vs 3,550 for Charlottesville — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlottesville has a violent crime rate of 359.0 per 100K while El Cerrito has 479.9. Charlottesville has lower violent crime.
About Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville, home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, is a university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is predominantly white, with a significant student population from the University of Virginia. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 44,844, Charlottesville has a total crime rate of 3,550.1 per 100,000 residents.
About El Cerrito, CA
El Cerrito, a city in the East Bay, was incorporated in 1917 to prevent annexation by Richmond. Situated on the slopes above San Francisco Bay, it's a diverse community with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 25,424, El Cerrito has a total crime rate of 3,524.2 per 100,000 residents.