Is Elon or Raleigh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elon is safer than Raleigh (Safety Score 96/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 388 per 100,000 versus 3,308 for Raleigh — 88% lower. Elon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Raleigh is 42.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elon, NC
Raleigh, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elon | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 388.4 | 3,308.0 | -2,919.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.7 | 488.9 | -411.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.1 | -5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 25.9 | 36.1 | -10.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 86.7 | -86.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.8 | 361.0 | -309.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 310.8 | 2,819.2 | -2,508.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 69.1 | 279.1 | -210.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 207.2 | 2,058.9 | -1,851.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.5 | 481.3 | -446.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elon or Raleigh safer?
Elon is safer with a total crime rate of 388 per 100K vs 3,308 for Raleigh — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elon has a violent crime rate of 77.7 per 100K while Raleigh has 488.9. Elon has lower violent crime.
About Elon, NC
Elon, North Carolina, home to Elon University, is a small town in Alamance County. Its population is predominantly young due to the university's presence. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 11,585, Elon has a total crime rate of 388.4 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.