Is Ashland or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 82/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 79% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 8.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 774.1 | 3,728.2 | -2,954.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.4 | 892.7 | -797.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 10.6 | 47.0 | -36.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 209.0 | -203.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 624.5 | -544.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 678.7 | 2,835.5 | -2,156.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 270.4 | 313.8 | -43.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 233.3 | 1,856.7 | -1,623.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 175.0 | 665.0 | -490.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Springfield safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 95.4 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, MA
Ashland, MA, once home to a section of the Boston Marathon, is a small town in Middlesex County. With a population of around 18,000, it features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 18,861, Ashland has a total crime rate of 774.1 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.