Is Cary or Elgin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Cary (Safety Score 61/100 vs 60/100), with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100,000 versus 1,389 for Cary — 1% lower. Cary has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Cary has a 73% lower rate.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, NC
Elgin, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | Elgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,388.9 | 1,368.7 | +20.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.5 | 266.7 | -195.2 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 4.4 | -2.8 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 64.7 | -58.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.7 | 31.0 | -18.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.1 | 166.6 | -116.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,317.4 | 1,102.1 | +215.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.6 | 211.7 | -123.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,110.6 | 804.4 | +306.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.3 | 85.9 | +32.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or Elgin safer?
Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100K vs 1,389 for Cary — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 71.5 per 100K while Elgin has 266.7. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, NC
Cary, NC, a large town in the Research Triangle region, began as a railroad town. It consistently ranks among the most educated communities in the U.S., attracting a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 181,793, Cary has a total crime rate of 1,388.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Elgin, IL
Elgin, Illinois, once known as "Watch City" due to the Elgin National Watch Company, is a Fox River community. Located in Kane and Cook counties, it's home to a diverse population of over 114,000 residents. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 112,879, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 residents.