Is Raleigh or Wilson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wilson is safer than Raleigh (Safety Score 20/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,982 per 100,000 versus 3,308 for Raleigh — 10% lower. Raleigh has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Raleigh has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Raleigh is 10.2x 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
Wilson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Raleigh, NC
Wilson, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Raleigh | Wilson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,308.0 | 2,981.7 | +326.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 488.9 | 579.2 | -90.3 |
| Murder Rate | 5.1 | 25.1 | -20.0 |
| Rape Rate | 36.1 | 27.2 | +8.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.7 | 62.7 | +23.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 361.0 | 464.2 | -103.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,819.2 | 2,402.5 | +416.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 279.1 | 286.5 | -7.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,058.9 | 1,881.9 | +177.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 481.3 | 234.2 | +247.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh or Wilson safer?
Wilson is safer with a total crime rate of 2,982 per 100K vs 3,308 for Raleigh — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Raleigh has a violent crime rate of 488.9 per 100K while Wilson has 579.2. 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 Wilson, NC
Wilson, NC, a city of over 49,000 residents in Eastern North Carolina, is known as "The City of Antiques" and home to the unique Whirligig Park. It lies along the I-95 corridor, a major North-South route. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 47,825, Wilson has a total crime rate of 2,981.7 per 100,000 residents.