Safest Cities in North Carolina (2023)

North Carolina Safety Analysis

• North Carolina ranks #29 out of 51 states for safety, below the national median. Across 10 tracked cities totaling 2,702,827 residents, crime rates trend higher than the US average, though individual cities vary widely.
• The average violent crime rate across North Carolina cities is 438 per 100K residents, which is 9% below the national average of 481/100K. This lower rate reflects relatively fewer assaults, robberies, and homicides compared to the rest of the country.
• Property crime averages 3,106/100K across North Carolina, 1% below the national average of 3,153/100K. Residents face lower risk of burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft compared to most states.
• Only 12% of crime in North Carolina is violent, well below the typical 20-25% national share. While property crime remains the primary concern, the risk of violent victimization is comparatively low.
• Cary leads North Carolina with a safety score of 73/100, making it one of the safest communities in the state. Cities scoring above 70 typically have violent crime rates less than half the national average.