Is Raleigh or Wilmington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Raleigh is safer than Wilmington (Safety Score 15/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,308 per 100,000 versus 4,000 for Wilmington — 17% lower. Raleigh has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
Note: Raleigh is 3.9x 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
Wilmington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh, NC
Wilmington, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Raleigh | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,308.0 | 4,000.0 | -691.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 488.9 | 485.2 | +3.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.1 | 5.6 | -0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 36.1 | 45.6 | -9.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.7 | 72.7 | +13.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 361.0 | 358.9 | +2.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,819.2 | 3,514.8 | -695.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 279.1 | 361.3 | -82.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,058.9 | 2,841.7 | -782.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 481.3 | 311.8 | +169.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh or Wilmington safer?
Raleigh is safer with a total crime rate of 3,308 per 100K vs 4,000 for Wilmington — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Raleigh has a violent crime rate of 488.9 per 100K while Wilmington has 485.2. Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC
Wilmington, a port city in southeastern North Carolina, is known for its historic downtown Riverwalk and as a major film production hub. Situated along the Cape Fear River, it's the county seat of New Hanover County. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 125,101, Wilmington has a total crime rate of 4,000.0 per 100,000 residents.