City in South Carolina, United States
Is Charleston safe?
Safe in the historic core and beach towns with normal care.
Is Charleston safe?
Safe in the historic core and beach towns with normal care. Property crime and flooding are the main issues; some outlying areas have more violent crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Charleston at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, bike theft and petty theft; late-night disputes around King Street bars. Violent crime is concentrated away from the peninsula's tourist core. |
| At night | The historic core feels safe; bars close around 2 am. Walk in groups late and use rideshare for longer distances. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks around nightlife areas and stay on lit streets. |
| Other risks | Street flooding at high tide and in heavy rain; Hurricane season Jun–Nov; Heat index above 40°C in July–August |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake carriage or tour sellers on Market Street
- Street vendors quoting prices after you take an item
- Unlicensed drivers outside bars late at night
Take care
- King Street bar area after midnight
- Dark side streets north of Calhoun Street
- Parked cars with visible items
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Charleston compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Charleston safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks around nightlife areas and stay on lit streets.
Is Charleston safe at night?
The historic core feels safe; bars close around 2 am. Walk in groups late and use rideshare for longer distances.
What is the crime rate in Charleston?
Car break-ins, bike theft and petty theft; late-night disputes around King Street bars. Violent crime is concentrated away from the peninsula's tourist core. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Charleston?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Charleston
Going to Charleston solo?
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Sources
- CARTA
- Charleston International Airport
- Explore Charleston
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.