Is Cary or Palm Bay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palm Bay is safer than Cary (Safety Score 61/100 vs 60/100), with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100,000 versus 1,389 for Cary — 2% lower. Cary has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Cary has a 79% lower rate.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palm Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, NC
Palm Bay, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | Palm Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,388.9 | 1,365.3 | +23.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.5 | 347.9 | -276.4 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 7.8 | -6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 47.5 | -40.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.7 | 51.7 | -39.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.1 | 240.2 | -190.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,317.4 | 1,017.5 | +300.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.6 | 229.6 | -141.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,110.6 | 724.8 | +385.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.3 | 63.1 | +55.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or Palm Bay safer?
Palm Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100K vs 1,389 for Cary — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 71.5 per 100K while Palm Bay has 347.9. 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 Palm Bay, FL
Palm Bay, a sprawling city on Florida's Space Coast, began as Tillman and grew significantly after being marketed by General Development Corporation. Its diverse population, largely residential, stretches across a low-lying, wooded landscape along the Indian River Lagoon. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 141,137, Palm Bay has a total crime rate of 1,365.3 per 100,000 residents.