Is Philadelphia or Salisbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salisbury is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 4/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,947 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 9% lower. Philadelphia has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salisbury has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 42.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salisbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia, PA
Salisbury, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Philadelphia | Salisbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,458.5 | 4,947.5 | +511.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.3 | 960.0 | -49.7 |
| Murder Rate | 16.9 | 30.1 | -13.2 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 57.4 | -11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 273.2 | 145.0 | +128.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 727.5 | -155.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,548.2 | 3,987.5 | +560.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 319.0 | 402.0 | -83.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,223.6 | 2,762.3 | +461.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,005.6 | 823.2 | +182.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philadelphia or Salisbury safer?
Salisbury is safer with a total crime rate of 4,947 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Philadelphia has a violent crime rate of 910.3 per 100K while Salisbury has 960.0. Philadelphia has lower violent crime.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Salisbury, NC
Salisbury, NC, home to Cheerwine, is a city of over 35,000 residents in Rowan County. It sits in the Piedmont region, roughly midway between Charlotte and Greensboro. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 36,564, Salisbury has a total crime rate of 4,947.5 per 100,000 residents.