Is Philadelphia or Wake Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wake Forest is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 58/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,452 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 73% lower. Philadelphia has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wake Forest has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 27.7x 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
Wake Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia, PA
Wake Forest, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Philadelphia | Wake Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,458.5 | 1,451.5 | +4,007.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.3 | 146.8 | +763.6 |
| Murder Rate | 16.9 | 3.6 | +13.3 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 5.4 | +40.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 273.2 | 9.0 | +264.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 128.9 | +443.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,548.2 | 1,304.8 | +3,243.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 319.0 | 103.8 | +215.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,223.6 | 1,116.8 | +2,106.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,005.6 | 84.1 | +921.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philadelphia or Wake Forest safer?
Wake Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 1,452 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Philadelphia has a violent crime rate of 910.3 per 100K while Wake Forest has 146.8. Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest, NC
Wake Forest, NC, a town in northern Wake County, was historically home to Wake Forest College before its move to Winston-Salem. It boasts a growing population of over 50,000 residents today. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 55,872, Wake Forest has a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents.