Is Amherst or Brandon Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brandon is safer than Amherst (Safety Score 93/100 vs 93/100), with a total crime rate of 463 per 100,000 versus 466 for Amherst — 1% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brandon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, MA
Brandon, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | Brandon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 466.5 | 463.2 | +3.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 159.8 | 88.8 | +71.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 15.4 | -15.4 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 11.6 | +59.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 7.7 | -1.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.1 | 54.0 | +28.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 306.7 | 374.5 | -67.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 34.6 | 38.6 | -4.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 263.5 | 316.5 | -53.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.6 | 19.3 | -10.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or Brandon safer?
Brandon is safer with a total crime rate of 463 per 100K vs 466 for Amherst — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 159.8 per 100K while Brandon has 88.8. Brandon has lower violent crime.
About Amherst, MA
Amherst, Massachusetts, home to Emily Dickinson's homestead, is a college town in the Pioneer Valley. It's a predominantly white community with a significant student population. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 46,304, Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Brandon, MS
Brandon, the county seat of Rankin County, is a growing city east of Jackson. It hosts the annual Rankin County Youth Livestock Show and is home to a diverse population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 25,905, Brandon has a total crime rate of 463.2 per 100,000 residents.