Is Raleigh or Salisbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Raleigh is safer than Salisbury (Safety Score 15/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,308 per 100,000 versus 4,947 for Salisbury — 33% lower. Raleigh has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Raleigh has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Raleigh is 13.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Raleigh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salisbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh, NC
Salisbury, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Raleigh | Salisbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,308.0 | 4,947.5 | -1,639.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 488.9 | 960.0 | -471.1 |
| Murder Rate | 5.1 | 30.1 | -25.0 |
| Rape Rate | 36.1 | 57.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.7 | 145.0 | -58.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 361.0 | 727.5 | -366.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,819.2 | 3,987.5 | -1,168.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 279.1 | 402.0 | -123.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,058.9 | 2,762.3 | -703.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 481.3 | 823.2 | -341.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh or Salisbury safer?
Raleigh is safer with a total crime rate of 3,308 per 100K vs 4,947 for Salisbury — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Raleigh has a violent crime rate of 488.9 per 100K while Salisbury has 960.0. Raleigh has lower violent crime.
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.
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.