Is Morgantown or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morgantown is safer than Wheeling (Safety Score 36/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100,000 versus 2,975 for Wheeling — 27% lower. Morgantown has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheeling has a 100% lower rate.
Morgantown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morgantown, WV
Wheeling, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Morgantown | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,173.1 | 2,974.8 | -801.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 213.0 | 982.6 | -769.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.1 | 0.0 | +13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 59.0 | 54.0 | +5.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.7 | 54.0 | -34.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.0 | 874.7 | -756.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,960.0 | 1,992.2 | -32.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 114.7 | 558.8 | -444.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,809.2 | 1,321.7 | +487.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.1 | 111.8 | -75.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown or Wheeling safer?
Morgantown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100K vs 2,975 for Wheeling — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Morgantown has a violent crime rate of 213.0 per 100K while Wheeling has 982.6. Morgantown has lower violent crime.
About Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the Monongahela River. Its population of roughly 30,000 is significantly boosted by its large student body, shaping a vibrant yet often transient community. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 30,510, Morgantown has a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Wheeling, WV
Wheeling, a historic Ohio River city, once served as West Virginia's first state capital. Its population of around 27,000 residents reflects a legacy of industry and a unique Appalachian-Rust Belt identity. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 25,951, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents.