Is Durham or Raleigh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Raleigh is safer than Durham (Safety Score 15/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,308 per 100,000 versus 4,420 for Durham — 25% lower. Durham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Raleigh has a 58% lower rate.
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NC
Raleigh, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,420.3 | 3,308.0 | +1,112.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.6 | 488.9 | +131.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 5.1 | +7.2 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 36.1 | +21.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 160.9 | 86.7 | +74.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 388.7 | 361.0 | +27.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,799.7 | 2,819.2 | +980.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 450.4 | 279.1 | +171.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,725.4 | 2,058.9 | +666.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 623.9 | 481.3 | +142.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Raleigh safer?
Raleigh is safer with a total crime rate of 3,308 per 100K vs 4,420 for Durham — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 620.6 per 100K while Raleigh has 488.9. Raleigh has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 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.