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Charlotte vs Raleigh: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Charlotte has a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5 per 1,000, making Raleigh 29% safer overall. Raleigh earns a C+ safety grade compared to Charlotte's D. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D

Charlotte

North Carolina

Overall GradeD
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeD
Crime Rate37.5/1K
Percentile17%
C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
Percentile41%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricCharlotteRaleigh
Overall Crime Rate37.5/1K26.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0421.8
Property Crime Rate3200.02232.6
Murder Rate9.27.1
Assault Rate373.7354.9
Robbery Rate100.062.0
Burglary Rate405.8371.5
Theft Rate2187.61437.7
Vehicle Theft Rate503.4362.9

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Charlotte is safer in 0 and Raleigh is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Charlotte, you have a 1 in 27 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Raleigh.

Full Safety Reports

D
Charlotte, North Carolina Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Raleigh, North Carolina Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Charlotte vs Raleigh

Charlotte Climate Overview

Annual High71.6°F
Annual Low50.9°F
Annual Rain41.9"
Annual Snow3.7"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Raleigh Climate Overview

Annual High71.3°F
Annual Low50.5°F
Annual Rain43.1"
Annual Snow4.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

CharlotteRaleighHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but winter temperatures are comparable. Raleigh gets significantly more snow (5" vs 4").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte safer than Raleigh?
As of 2026, Raleigh is 29% safer overall, with a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Charlotte's 37.5. Raleigh earns a C+ safety grade vs Charlotte's D. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Charlotte or Raleigh?
Charlotte has more violent crime at 550 per 100,000 residents. Raleigh is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Charlotte vs Raleigh?
Charlotte has a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3200/100K). Raleigh has 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 422/100K, property: 2233/100K).
Should I move to Charlotte or Raleigh?
From a safety perspective, Raleigh has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Charlotte (pop. 964,784) and Raleigh (pop. 506,306) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Raleigh's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Charlotte and Raleigh compare for property crime?
Raleigh has lower property crime at 2233 per 100K vs Charlotte's 3200. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Charlotte vs AustinCharlotte vs AtlantaRaleigh vs GreensboroRaleigh vs DurhamRaleigh vs Winston-Salem

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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