Is Bangor or Waterville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waterville is safer than Bangor (Safety Score 17/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,166 per 100,000 versus 4,399 for Bangor — 28% lower. Bangor has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waterville has a 53% lower rate.
Bangor — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waterville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bangor, ME
Waterville, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bangor | Waterville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,399.0 | 3,166.0 | +1,233.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 161.4 | 142.3 | +19.1 |
| Murder Rate | 15.8 | 17.8 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 22.2 | 77.1 | -54.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.6 | 23.7 | +26.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 72.8 | 23.7 | +49.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,237.6 | 3,023.7 | +1,214.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 310.2 | 59.3 | +250.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,842.0 | 2,810.2 | +1,031.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 85.5 | 154.2 | -68.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bangor or Waterville safer?
Waterville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,166 per 100K vs 4,399 for Bangor — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bangor has a violent crime rate of 161.4 per 100K while Waterville has 142.3. Waterville has lower violent crime.
About Bangor, ME
Bangor, a city on the Penobscot River, is the third most populous in Maine. Known as the birthplace of Stephen King, it serves as a regional hub for healthcare and education in eastern Maine. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 31,598, Bangor has a total crime rate of 4,399.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Waterville, ME
Waterville, a Kennebec River city, was a major mill town. Colby College, a liberal arts institution, is located here. Its population is around 16,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 16,867, Waterville has a total crime rate of 3,166.0 per 100,000 residents.