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Raleigh vs Cary: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Raleigh has a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents vs Cary's 20.6 per 1,000, making Cary 22% safer overall. Cary earns a B- safety grade compared to Raleigh's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

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

Cary

North Carolina

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate20.6/1K
Percentile56%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricRaleighCary
Overall Crime Rate26.5/1K20.6/1K
Violent Crime Rate421.8347.5
Property Crime Rate2232.61714.6
Murder Rate7.15.5
Assault Rate354.9207.9
Robbery Rate62.058.6
Burglary Rate371.5236.1
Theft Rate1437.71387.5
Vehicle Theft Rate362.9160.1

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, Raleigh is safer in 0 and Cary is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Raleigh, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 49 in Cary.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Raleigh, North Carolina Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Cary, North Carolina Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh safer than Cary?
As of 2026, Cary is 22% safer overall, with a crime rate of 20.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Raleigh's 26.5. Cary earns a B- safety grade vs Raleigh's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Raleigh or Cary?
Raleigh has more violent crime at 422 per 100,000 residents. Cary is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Raleigh vs Cary?
Raleigh has a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 422/100K, property: 2233/100K). Cary has 20.6 per 1,000 (violent: 348/100K, property: 1715/100K).
Should I move to Raleigh or Cary?
From a safety perspective, Cary has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Raleigh (pop. 506,306) and Cary (pop. 183,582) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Cary's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Raleigh and Cary compare for property crime?
Cary has lower property crime at 1715 per 100K vs Raleigh's 2233. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs CharlotteRaleigh vs GreensboroRaleigh vs Durham

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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