Is Gaffney or North Charleston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gaffney is safer than North Charleston (Safety Score 6/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,404 per 100,000 versus 4,767 for North Charleston — 8% lower. Gaffney has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gaffney has a 89% lower rate.
Note: North Charleston is 10.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gaffney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gaffney, SC
North Charleston, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gaffney | North Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,403.6 | 4,767.2 | -363.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 225.8 | 811.3 | -585.4 |
| Murder Rate | 16.1 | 17.0 | -0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 56.5 | 60.7 | -4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.1 | 153.0 | -136.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 137.1 | 579.7 | -442.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,177.8 | 3,955.9 | +221.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 645.2 | 323.9 | +321.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,137.4 | 3,105.8 | +31.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.2 | 526.3 | -131.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaffney or North Charleston safer?
Gaffney is safer with a total crime rate of 4,404 per 100K vs 4,767 for North Charleston — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gaffney has a violent crime rate of 225.8 per 100K while North Charleston has 811.3. Gaffney has lower violent crime.
About Gaffney, SC
Gaffney, SC, home to the iconic Peachoid water tower, sits in Cherokee County. This small Southern town, with a population around 13,000, is part of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson combined statistical area. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 12,399, Gaffney has a total crime rate of 4,403.6 per 100,000 residents.
About North Charleston, SC
North Charleston, a city with a rich naval history, lies in the heart of the Lowcountry. It's home to a diverse population exceeding 115,000 residents, spanning both Charleston and Dorchester counties. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 123,511, North Charleston has a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents.