Murphy, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Murphy Safe?
Yes — Murphy has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Murphy has a crime rate that is 36% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 461.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 461
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 103
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
47% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Murphy Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Murphy Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Murphy Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Murphy zip codes.
Murphy Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Murphy, NC?
Murphy, NC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 36% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 461 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 103 chance for property crime. Murphy has lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Murphy, NC safe to live in?
Murphy is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Murphy is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Murphy?
The estimated violent crime rate in Murphy is 216.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 461 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (35% below average); aggravated assault at 154.6 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 37.2 per 100K (50% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Murphy?
The estimated property crime rate in Murphy is 975.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 103 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 138.0 per 100K (49% below average); larceny/theft at 660.2 per 100K (53% below average); vehicle theft at 177.3 per 100K (44% below average).
How does Murphy crime compare to the national average?
Murphy's overall crime rate is 36% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (35% below average), while larceny/theft is 53% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Murphy has lower crime than 70% of them.
Is Murphy safe to visit?
Murphy is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 47% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Murphy crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Murphy's crime rate is 36% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Murphy?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Murphy, with an estimated rate of 660.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 53% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (976 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (217 per 100K) in Murphy, which is consistent with national trends.