Is Chapel Hill or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chapel Hill is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 24/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 14% lower. Chapel Hill has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chapel Hill has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 26.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chapel Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chapel Hill, NC
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chapel Hill | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.8 | 3,125.4 | -438.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.1 | 800.0 | -627.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 8.4 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 12.5 | 64.3 | -51.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.4 | 181.6 | -136.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.7 | 545.3 | -432.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.6 | 2,325.3 | +189.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 339.6 | 317.2 | +22.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.9 | 1,582.1 | +406.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.2 | 426.0 | -239.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapel Hill or Phoenix safer?
Chapel Hill is safer with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chapel Hill has a violent crime rate of 172.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Chapel Hill has lower violent crime.
About Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, home to the nation's first public university, is a vibrant town in Orange County, North Carolina. Its youthful population, largely influenced by UNC, enjoys the rolling Piedmont hills. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 63,906, Chapel Hill has a total crime rate of 2,686.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.