Is Chapel Hill or Raleigh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chapel Hill is safer than Raleigh (Safety Score 24/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100,000 versus 3,308 for Raleigh — 19% lower. Chapel Hill has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chapel Hill has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Raleigh is 7.6x 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
Raleigh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chapel Hill, NC
Raleigh, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chapel Hill | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.8 | 3,308.0 | -621.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.1 | 488.9 | -316.7 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 5.1 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 12.5 | 36.1 | -23.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.4 | 86.7 | -41.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.7 | 361.0 | -248.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.6 | 2,819.2 | -304.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 339.6 | 279.1 | +60.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.9 | 2,058.9 | -70.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.2 | 481.3 | -295.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapel Hill or Raleigh safer?
Chapel Hill is safer with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100K vs 3,308 for Raleigh — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chapel Hill has a violent crime rate of 172.1 per 100K while Raleigh has 488.9. 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 Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital, anchors the Research Triangle Park technology hub. Founded in 1792, it's known as the "City of Oaks" for its tree-lined streets and boasts a population exceeding 470,000. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 488,085, Raleigh has a total crime rate of 3,308.0 per 100,000 residents.