Charleston, SC Crime Rate & Safety

Charleston, SC has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 8% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 244 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 46 chance for property crime. Charleston has lower crime than 38% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Charleston has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 78% of the city's 18 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Shadowmoss is one of the safest areas, while East Central has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Charleston is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Charleston are Shadowmoss, Village Green, Charlestowne / South of Broad, Daniel Island, and French Quarter. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Charleston include East Central, Eastside, Westside, North Central, and Charleston Farms. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Charleston is 410.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 244 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.0 per 100K (0% below average); aggravated assault at 284.5 per 100K (6% above average); robbery at 86.4 per 100K (17% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Charleston is 2,169.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 18% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 46 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 259.7 per 100K (4% below average); larceny/theft at 1,556.1 per 100K (11% above average); vehicle theft at 353.9 per 100K (11% above average).

Charleston's overall crime rate is 8% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (17% above average), while burglary is 4% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Charleston has lower crime than 38% of them.

Visitors to Charleston should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 18% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Shadowmoss, Village Green, Charlestowne / South of Broad.

South Carolina as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Charleston's crime rate is 8% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical South Carolina city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Charleston, with an estimated rate of 1,556.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,170 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (411 per 100K) in Charleston, which is consistent with national trends.