Is Amherst or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Amherst is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 94/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 466 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 87% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 3.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 466.5 | 3,728.2 | -3,261.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 159.8 | 892.7 | -732.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 47.0 | +24.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 209.0 | -202.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.1 | 624.5 | -542.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 306.7 | 2,835.5 | -2,528.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 34.6 | 313.8 | -279.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 263.5 | 1,856.7 | -1,593.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.6 | 665.0 | -656.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or Springfield safer?
Amherst is safer with a total crime rate of 466 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 159.8 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Amherst 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 94/100 and a population coverage of 46,304, Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Springfield, MA
Springfield, Massachusetts, a city on the Connecticut River, is the "City of Firsts," notably home to the invention of basketball. Its diverse population of over 150,000 residents reflects a rich industrial past and a vibrant present as an economic hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 155,491, Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,728.2 per 100,000 residents.