Violent
Property
Total
Waltham, MA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 65,488
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waltham, Massachusetts Safe?
Waltham has a safety score of 82/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waltham ranks #99 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #709 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 76th percentile for safety — safer than 76% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Waltham are below the national average, with motor vehicle theft particularly low at 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Waltham's total crime rate decreased by 12.5%.
Waltham Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 165 | 252.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 1.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 12 | 18.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 15 | 22.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 137 | 209.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 458 | 699.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 82 | 125.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 340 | 519.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 36 | 55.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waltham vs Massachusetts Average
How does Waltham's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Waltham | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 252.0 | 312.0 | -19.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 699.4 | 1,086.7 | -35.6% |
| Murder Rate | 1.5 | 2.0 | -22.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 951.3 | 1,398.7 | -32.0% |
Waltham Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waltham, Massachusetts.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 65,488 | 951.3 | 252.0 | 699.4 |
| 2023 | 63,797 | 1,087.8 | 250.8 | 837.0 |
| 2022 | 63,525 | 703.7 | 151.1 | 552.5 |
| 2021 | 62,693 | 590.2 | 119.6 | 470.6 |
| 2020 | 62,339 | 753.9 | 136.4 | 617.6 |
| 2019 | 62,737 | 978.7 | 162.6 | 816.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waltham, Massachusetts safe?
Waltham has a safety score of 82/100. With a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waltham is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Waltham, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waltham has a violent crime rate of 252.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 699.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waltham compare to the national average?
Waltham's total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 65,488.
What types of crime are most common in Waltham?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waltham include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waltham safe to visit?
Like any city, Waltham has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 82/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.