Is Chapel Hill or West Palm Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chapel Hill is safer than West Palm Beach (Safety Score 24/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100,000 versus 2,714 for West Palm Beach — 1% lower. Chapel Hill has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chapel Hill has a 80% lower rate.
Chapel Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Palm Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chapel Hill, NC
West Palm Beach, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chapel Hill | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.8 | 2,713.8 | -27.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.1 | 575.8 | -403.7 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 7.9 | -6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 12.5 | 59.3 | -46.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.4 | 159.0 | -113.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.7 | 349.6 | -236.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.6 | 2,138.0 | +376.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 339.6 | 307.7 | +31.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.9 | 1,801.8 | +187.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.2 | 28.5 | +157.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapel Hill or West Palm Beach safer?
Chapel Hill is safer with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100K vs 2,714 for West Palm Beach — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chapel Hill has a violent crime rate of 172.1 per 100K while West Palm Beach has 575.8. 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 West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach, separated from Palm Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway, was founded by Henry Flagler to house railroad workers. This city in Palm Beach County is a diverse urban center with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 126,427, West Palm Beach has a total crime rate of 2,713.8 per 100,000 residents.