Violent
Property
Total
Reading, MA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 25,871
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Reading, Massachusetts Safe?
Reading has a safety score of 89/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 572.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Reading ranks #53 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #302 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 90th percentile for safety — safer than 90% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Reading are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Reading's total crime rate increased by 11.5%, with violent crime rising 38.8%.
Reading Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 10 | 38.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 4 | 15.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 6 | 23.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 138 | 533.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 20 | 77.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 113 | 436.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 19.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Reading vs Massachusetts Average
How does Reading's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Reading | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 38.7 | 312.0 | -87.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 533.4 | 1,086.7 | -50.9% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 572.1 | 1,398.7 | -59.1% |
Reading Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Reading, Massachusetts.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,871 | 572.1 | 38.7 | 533.4 |
| 2023 | 25,135 | 513.2 | 27.9 | 485.4 |
| 2022 | 25,018 | 603.6 | 16.0 | 587.6 |
| 2021 | 25,900 | 501.9 | 34.8 | 467.2 |
| 2020 | 25,417 | 472.1 | 43.3 | 428.9 |
| 2019 | 25,305 | 470.3 | 11.9 | 458.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reading, Massachusetts safe?
Reading has a safety score of 89/100. With a total crime rate of 572.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Reading is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Reading, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Reading has a violent crime rate of 38.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 533.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Reading compare to the national average?
Reading's total crime rate of 572.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 25,871.
What types of crime are most common in Reading?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Reading include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Reading safe to visit?
Like any city, Reading has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 89/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.